Hauser and Wirth in London has a Beauford Delaney portrait for sale.
The sitter was Peter Eyre.
(1960) Oil on canvas
67.5 x 56.5 x 4.3 cm / 26 5/8 x 22 1/4 x 1 3/4 inches (framed)
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator
Courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, LLC, New York, NY
Eyre is a U.S.-born stage and screen actor who has lived in Great Britain since the age of twelve. He has performed numerous times in London's West End and on Broadway as well as in multiple feature films and television shows.
In 1959 and 1960, Eyre studied drama in Paris. Through his friendship with Belgian theater director Robert Cordier, he came to know James Baldwin.
Through Baldwin, he came to know Beauford.
Eyre wrote the following about Beauford:
Beauford was a very quiet gentle man, almost Buddha-like in his often silent observation of the lively crowd in the bars who surrounded the very volatile Jimmy. We made friends and I loved his wise pronouncements. I think I was an oddity to him. I was a 19 year-old English school kid seeking some kind of validation in Paris.
I loved his illuminating abstract paintings infused with light, and I was flattered when he suggested he paint my portrait. Being with him was a lovely tranquil time.
When we went out after the sittings, I would take him back to his apartment. I was always amused when he would show his address to the taxi driver, on a tiny piece of paper ... 53 rue Vergingetorix ... which is a bit of a mouthful for someone not at ease in the French language!
Beauford’s portrait and loving friendship made me feel that my very insecure youthful self held a possibility to be someone.
Now looking back I am especially happy to realise Beauford Delaney has taken place as one of the great artists of the twentieth century. Yes... a very great artist and a pure soul.
I had the opportunity to interview Eyre about his experience meeting Beauford and sitting for his portrait.
He told me that he and Cordier hung out at Les Nuages and KevVillage near rue de Rennes in the 6th arrondissement and said this is where they would meet up with "Jimmy" and Beauford. He believes Beauford asked him to sit for a portrait during a meeting in a cafe and remembers shyly agreeing to the request.
He sat with Beauford "maybe seven times" for the portrait.
Eyre recounted the story of the work hanging in the office of Paul Facchetti during Beauford's 1960 solo exhibition of abstract paintings at the Facchetti gallery on rue de Lille. He said it was hung there as a favor because Beauford wanted Henry Miller to see it.
Eyre and Beauford were in the office when Miller arrived at the exhibition, and Beauford brought Miller into the office to introduce the two men and present Eyre's portrait.
© Paul Facchetti
Eyre (who was known as "Oscar" in England) remembers being stunned when Miller viewed the painting, looked at him, then turned to Beauford and asked "Is he the new Oscar Wilde?"
Eyre inherited the portrait from his mother. He said she never met Beauford, and he is not sure when she purchased the painting.
When I asked about his favorite memory of Beauford, he replied, "I loved his composure, sweetness, and kindness."
To view a photo portrait of a young Peter Eyre (1961), click HERE.
The sale price for Beauford's portrait of Peter Eyre is GBP 250,000.00, excluding VAT.
For information, contact Aileen Corkery at aileen@hauserwirth.com.
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