Albert Irvin (1922-2015) is known as one of the few UK artists to work in abstract expressionism and his paintings are popular among collectors and the public.
However, his early works are largely unknown. Few examples have come on the market as Irvin kept many of them in his studio – even in the face of interest shown by the St James’s gallery Whitford Fine Art during his life.
“Irvin thought that the public might not recognise these,” says the gallery’s Gabriel Toso. “And people may not, but how can you understand an artist if you don’t know his early works?”