Edward James, Sussex

Gallery of Surrealism, New York

Acquired from the above

The original owner of the present work was Edward James, an English heir to an American railroad fort𒀰une turned eccentric poet and influential patron of Surrealist art. A lifelong collector of art, James is particularly remembered for his patronage of Surrealist painters including Fini, Dalí, Magritte, Tchelitchew and Carrington. He provided space for his artist friends to develop their creative practice. Dalí, Tchelitchew, Magritte and others were given studio space during extended stays in James' homes at West Dean and in London. He supported them further through commissions and collaborations, building one of the finest collections of Surrealist art in the world.