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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 40

Cat. 162 · Painting

The Family of Acrobats

Attributed to Barbara Fleming

Date not recorded

Medium
Oil on hardboard
Dimensions
51 cm × 41cnAs recorded in the catalogue
Date
Date not recorded
Signature
Not recorded
Catalogue no.
Cat. 162
Source
Catalogue, entry 162
Status
Private collection
Enquiries regarding this work

Description

Two acrobats in archaic dress from the Comedie Delle Arte, cradle their baby, whilst a money watches on.

Commentary

This is a copy of Picasso’s Famille De Acrobates avec une singe’ from 1905. The paint application, especially the flesh tones is in the style of B Fleming with an impressionistic, almost pointilist approach. Possibly Barbara is seeking to learn by copying the Masters, which was a common practice.

Attribution

Attributed to Barbara Fleming.

Given to Barbara Fleming in the catalogue.

Catalogue wording: “Barbara Fleming”

How attributions are worded

Verso

A Fleming.

The reverse is marked “A Fleming” in block capitals. Many boards in the collection carry this marking, and some of them are considered to be by Barbara Fleming. The marking may record ownership rather than authorship and is not treated here as evidence of attribution.

Condition

Fair. Some flattening to the top right corner.

Provenance and research

Research notes

  • The catalogue marks this title [given].

Further works

Barbara Fleming