Stillife Petunia 1998



Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 150.5 x 110
Signed, dated and titled [inscribed on verso: ‘Name Howard ARkley / Title Stillife Petunia / Date 1998 / Size 1100 cm x 1550 cm {sic} / medium Acrylic on Canvas’]
Coll.: unknown

Higher-keyed variant of Still Life Petunias 1987, with light grey line-work replacing the original black, and a generally softened palette. While the grey line and pastel tones are consistent with Arkley’s later 90s style, the canvas presents a considerable contrast with another late variant of the same composition, Stillife Petunias (for Leigh) 1997.

The present canvas is one of a number of late Arkleys acquired together in about 1998.

Provenance

  • Private collection, Queensland, acquired directly from the artist, c.1998: information and ID photos forwarded to Arkley Estate Sept.2011
  • Auctioned by Menzies, Melb., 20 March 2014, lot 53, as Untitled (Stillife [sic] Petunia), 1998: ill.and dets.as above; est.$40-50,000; sold for $44,000 plus buyer’s premium ($54,000)