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We are delighted to announce that our upcoming auction on June 26th will feature an important painting by the renowned British artist Mary Fedden R.A. (British, 1915–2012). Recently consigned by Aubreys, Mary Fedden’s painting Summer No 1 (1958) is a vibrant oil on board that captures the essence of the season. The harmonious blend of colour and form exemplifies Fedden’s signature style, which combines bold shapes, playful patterns, and a keen sense of composition.
During the 1950s, Fedden’s work reached a point of artistic maturity, marked by her distinctive still lives that combined bold colour, simplified forms, and subtle symbolism. Drawing influence from Henri Matisse and Georges Braque, her compositions balanced domestic subjects with stylized landscapes, often suggesting quiet narratives.
This work was created during a significant year in Fedden’s creative journey, as she became the first female tutor in the Painting School at the Royal College of Art in 1958, teaching future leading artists such as David Hockney, Allen Jones, and R.B. Kitaj. Her travels during this time also enriched her visual vocabulary, contributing to the vibrant, evocative quality of her work. This period was pivotal in her career and helped establish her as a significant figure in mid-20th-century British art.
In Summer No. 1, Fedden arranges familiar objects such as flowers, fruit, and domestic items, and includes a stylish female figure set against a backdrop that evokes the warmth and brightness of the season. The painting’s vivid colours and rhythmic patterns create a sense of joy and tranquillity, inviting viewers to appreciate the beauty in everyday scenes.
The inclusion of figures in Mary Fedden’s work is rare, but when present, they remain secondary to her vibrant compositions of objects. These figures enrich the work by introducing a subtle human presence, offering glimpses into imagined stories and deepening the emotional resonance of her art. As demonstrated here, her figures are usually simplified and often faceless, functioning more as silhouettes or shapes than detailed portraits. Their presence introduces a sense of story, movement, or mood—bridging the personal and the observational.
The painting measuring 97 x 121 cm, is signed and dated 1958 to the lower left, titled on the mount, and bears a label verso: 'Mary Fedden. Durham Wharf, Hammersmith Terrace, W6, Summer No. 1.'. It has an interesting provenance, from a private estate, it formerly in hung in the Woolverstone Hall Library, Ipswich.
Summer No. 1 is a large and exquisite work that represents a pivotal moment in her artistic development, and we are thrilled to offer it at auction on June 26th with an estimate of £20,000–£30,000. We anticipate strong interest as Mary Fedden’s works continue to captivate collectors and art lovers alike. Don’t miss your chance to acquire this remarkable piece of art history.
