Welch, Denton [1915-1948]

portrait of a scantily clad youth a further pencil and ink drawing to verso

pencil on paper, inscribed ‘Noel Adeney’ and dated July 30 1943’ with partial ink sketch of male figure to verso

180 by 250mm (7 by 9¾ inches).

The reference to Noel Adeney on the drawing is obscure. Adeney had written to Welch in 1942 praising an article he wrote on Sickert and their friendship sprang from that. Fringie as he called her had studied at the Slade and became a member of the London Group. Denton became her confidant but was apparently always wary of their relationship.

Provenance ex Robert Barley collection and inscribed on an old label ‘23 sketch by Denton Welch bought from Henry Boxer 39, Kew Road, Richmond Dec 1984’

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