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Review build — the catalogue is a working document and records are subject to continuing research.

Alec & Barbara FlemingPaintings, drawings and works on paper

Reference photograph, catalogue sheet 4

Cat. 15 · Painting

The Fountain

Assigned title

Attributed to Alec Fleming

Date not recorded

Medium
Oil on unprimed hard board
Dimensions
50.5 cm × 61 cmAs recorded in the catalogue
Date
Date not recorded
Signature
Not recorded
Catalogue no.
Cat. 15* (asterisk explained under Verso)
Source
Catalogue, entry 15*
Status
Private collection

Description

A water fountain in a town square in strong sunlight.

Commentary

An affecting composition, with the fountain centrally placed in strong sunlight with profound shadows and strongly defined outlines in the manner of Rouault. Possibly painted in France en plein air with large, rough brush strokes and rapid over- working.

Attribution

Attributed to Alec Fleming.

Given to Alec Fleming in the catalogue.

Catalogue wording: “Alec Fleming”

How attributions are worded

Verso

Alex Fleming in block marker.

Catalogue no. 15* — The asterisk against this catalogue number refers to the catalogue introduction’s note on the “A Fleming” marking on the reverse of many boards, reproduced below. It flags the caveat; it is not itself evidence of authorship.

Source note, catalogue introduction

Many boards are marked “A Fleming” in marker pen, in block capitals, on the reverse. Some of these may be by Barbara Fleming.

It is unlikely that the same marker pen, in the same hand and in the same position on the board, would have been used over several decades. In places the marker is written over older paint marks, staining and scarring, which suggests a later application — potentially at a single date, to denote ownership rather than attribution, and probably by Alec Fleming.

Condition

Good. Slight water staining to the revere at base.

Provenance and research

Research notes

  • The title is marked [assigned] in the catalogue.

Further works

Alec Fleming