Lot 822
GEORGE RUSSELL, "AE" (1867-1935)
TWO LADIES AMID SAND DUNES
Signed Æ in ligature lower right, oil on canvas
52 x 80cm.
Provenance: Mrs Annabel Huth Jackson, by whom purchased from the artist, March 1919; and thence by direct descent
* Russell invariably signed his work with the unusual Æ monogram, shortened from the word Æon (simultaneously the mortal incarnation of the `Word of God` and the representation of the immortal self) and meaning `the lifelong quest of mankind`. This reflected his great interest in mysticism and the metaphysical philosophies, glimpses of which he addressed in a letter to the purchaser of this picture (the letters are included with this lot).
In a letter to Mrs Annabel Huth Jackson, dated March 29th 1919 and acknowledging receipt of £31.10.0 for three pictures (another of which was sold here on October 23rd 2020, lot 1858), Russell writes "Might I suggest that the two grey coloured pictures were intended to be framed in a kind of cream, almost white, flat frame as it by the white or pale cream that the local colour of the picture can best be thrown out and that they should have glass over them." With timid self-effacement, he added "I hope they will not prove too tiresome a possession."
