Arthur Tooth & Sons, London, where acquired by Vivien Leigh, 29th December 1947

London, Arthur Tooth & Sons, An Exhibition of Paintings by Matthew Smith of the Years 1938-1940, 22nd October - 15th November 1947, cat. no. 21;
London, Royal Academy of Arts, A Memorial Exhibition of Works by Sir Matthew Smith C.B.E., 1960, cat. no. 199.

Notley Abbey Inventory, April 1948, p. 6, Lounge, ‘A modern Oil Painting "Bowl of Flowers and Fruit" 18" by 21½", framed and glazed’, (The Vivien Leigh Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, THM/433/6/1);
John Russell and Francis Halliday, Matthew Smith, London, 1962, illustrated pl. 46;
John Gledhill, Matthew Smith Catalogue Raisonné of the Oil Paintings, Farnham, 2009, cat. no. 519, illustrated p. 203.

The canvas appears to be original. There are a couple of very tiny instances of very slight loss to the right hand side, visible upon very close inspection. There is some surface matter and studio detritus apparent. Subject to the above the work appears to be in overall very good condition. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals no obvious signs of restoration or flurorescence. The work is presented in a simple wooden frame. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if have any questions regarding the present work.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Matthew Smith, a student of the Manchester School of Art and the Slade, would go on to study under Henri Matisse in Paris. Matisse’s influence and that of the wider Fauvist movement is apparent in much of Smith’s work through his deft handling of paint and considered yet bold use of colour. Smith’s still lifes beautifully capture the physicality of their subject as well as a moment in time. He is particularly regarded for his skill in rendering flowers, juxtaposing the tenderness of the stems with the solidity of the vessel in which they stand.