Women, either singly or in pairs, were a frequent motif for the Neo-Romantic artist Robert Colquhoun in his paintings, drawings, monotypes and lithographs during the years 1943–6. They have been interpreted by some as discreet portraits of himself and fellow Scottish painter and life-long partner Robert McBryde (1913-1966) with whom he lived at 77 Bedford Gardens in London at the time. Like his Woman with a Birdcage (1946), it was purchased by Sir Colin Anderson (1904-1980) for the Contemporary Art Society from the artist’s solo exhibition at Alex Reid & Lefevre Ltd (The Lefevre Gallery) in February 1946 whilst Anderson was the CAS elected buyer that year. It was presented to the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne in 1948. It is very similar in composition to The Fortune Teller (1946) painted by Colquhoun slightly later in the same year which was purchased by Anderson himself and gifted by him and his wife to the Contemporary Art Society 30 years later and presented to the Tate Gallery in 1976. Its execution owes much to his mentor the Polish artist, Jankel Adler (1895-1949).
