Live Auction 12224Modern British & Irish Art Day Sale
Eric Kennington, R.A. (1888-1960)
Lot 180

Eric Kennington, R.A. (1888-1960)

Alayan: a spy

Closed21 June 2016

Price Realised

GBP 22,500

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Eric Kennington, R.A. (1888-1960)
Alayan: a spy
coloured chalks on two sheets, joined
35 x 28 in. (89 x 71 cm.)
Executed in 1921.

Purchased by W.H. Haslam at the 1927 exhibition.
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 24 November 1976, lot 225.
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 19 November 1980, lot 260.
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 8 November 1989, lot 139.
with Fine Art Society, London, where purchased by the present owner.

Specialist note

Alayan was linked to Lawrence's bodyguard but not formally part of it; eavesdropping incognito was his speciality. He made a considerable amount of money from the Arab Revolt and then lost it all by the time he sat for Kennington in Amman in May 1921. The clothes that he wears in the present work were borrowed especially for this portrait.

We are very grateful to Dr Jonathan Black for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.