William John Leech
, Irish, 1881-1968
Title
Aloes, South of FranceDatec.1915/17
MediumWatercolour on paper
Dimensions
49.9 x 36 cm
Signedlower left (in watercolour): Leech
Credit LinePurchased, 2004
Object numberNGI.19614
DescriptionIn the winters of 1915 and 1917 Leech travelled to the fishing village Les Martiques, near Marseilles, to paint. Inspired by the decorative quality of the aloe plants that thrive there, he embarked on his Aloes series of oil paintings. The large scale of the paintings suggests they were executed in his studio in London, based on watercolour studies such as this, done on the spot. The influence of Post-Impressionism is evident in the artist’s heightened awareness of colour and rhythmic pattern.ProvenancePurchased, Pyms Gallery, London, June 2004Exhibition HistoryAn Ireland Imagined: Exhibition of Irish Paintings and Drawings 1860-1960, Pyms Gallery, London, 1993
British and Irish Works on Paper 1900-2000, Pyms Gallery, London, 2004
Destination Europe, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, 2006
Taking Stock: Acquisitions 2000-2010, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, 13 March 2010 - 25 July 2010