
Penny Day
Head of UK and Ireland
Sold for £50,000 inc. premium
Our Modern British & Irish Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistHead of UK and Ireland
Head of Department
Director
Head of Ireland & Northen Ireland
Provenance
Gifted by the Artist to Douglas Whittaker and thence by family descent
Private Collection, U.K.
Part of a deeply musical family, painter and ballet designer John Craxton counted composers and performers among his close friends. During decades in the Aegean he often depicted taverna dancers and musicians such as the pipe player seen here.
Douglas Whittaker counted the Artist amongst his family friends, a talented musician he played principal flute in the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Whittaker performed with John Craxton's sister Janet, herself a distinguished oboist.
Further works by the artist feature in the current, free exhibition Charmed Lives in Greece: Ghika, Craxton, Leigh Fermor, at the British Museum until 15 July.
We are grateful to Dr. Ian Collins for compiling this catalogue entry.