KEITH VAUGHAN

LETTERS TO JOHN BALL & GORDON HARGREAVES

John Ball, Professor of Zoology at Sheffield University and his partner Dr. Gordon Hargreaves, owned the finest collection of Vaughan’s work and were his close and supportive friends. “The Sheffield Boys”, as they became known, preferred to buy directly from Vaughan rather than use a gallery or dealer. Over the years they frequently stayed at Vaughan’s home while he was absent. Ball and Hargreaves were, quite simply, Vaughan fanatics and the walls of their London apartment were postage-stamped with his most important paintings representing every period of his career. Between them their knowledge was encyclopedic including the artist’s working methods, his choice of pigments, the titles and dates of his works, his themes and subject matter and which collection or collector owned what particular picture. Being a Sunday painter, Hargreaves best understood Vaughan’s work from a practitioner’s standpoint and, as a scientist, Ball catalogued and categorized virtually all his canvases. He wrote: “I knew Keith well, and about a year before his death I agreed to his suggestion that I should catalogue his pictures. To this end he lent me his record books, press cuttings book, many photographs etc. After his death one of his trustees (and my great friend) Prunella Clough passed on to me masses of other material….Correspondence and accounts with various galleries, letters to and from various people etc. To this list I have added material belonging to me – colour transparencies, exhibition catalogues, photographs, card-index of paintings, transcripts of TV and radio interviews etc.” The following is a transcript of the letters between the artist and his patrons from Ball’s private archive.

9 Belsize Park, NW3 28 December, 1965
Dear Gordon Hargreaves, Thank you for your letter. I’m certainly able to sell works privately from my studio & you would be very welcome to come over & see what I have got. The particular gouache you saw recently at the Marlborough – Negroes in an Olive Grove – has been retained by them as part of their stock & would have to be acquired through them. But I have a number of other gouaches done this year on Moroccan themes, as well as earlier work. I shall look forward to hearing from you in the New Year. Yours sincerely,
Keith Vaughan

9 Belsize Park, NW3
11 January, 1966 Dear Gordon Hargreaves,
The painting was duly collected by Bourlet on Monday & should be delivered to you sometime during the next 10 – 14 days. It is insured (to the sum £500) during transit, but the insurance will cease when delivery is accepted at the University. No doubt your own household policy will take care of it while it is in your possession, but it might be as well to check with your company about this before it arrives. If you decide you would like to keep it I should be pleased to make you a special price of £400 (instead of £450) which you can pay if you like over a period of two years.
With all good wishes, Yours sincerely,
Keith Vaughan

9 Belsize Park, NW3
27 January, 1966

Dear Gordon Hargreaves,
I am glad the painting has arrived safely, & am sorry you had to wait so long. I am also glad to know that the problem of scale is not as difficult as you feared. I felt fairly confident that it would not be too aggressive once the painting was hung.
If you desire to keep it the date of payment you suggest would be quite agreeable to me. My bank is in the Midland Bank, 122 Finchley Road, London NW3. The half finished painting you saw in my studio has now returned practically to square one & is mostly white canvas again. I have no idea at the moment what it will develop into as it is some weeks since I’ve been able to work on it. I should be very pleased for you to call again next time you’re in London & shall look forward to seeing you. Yours sincerely,
Keith Vaughan

9 Belsize Park, NW3
16 February, 1966 Dear Gordon Hargreaves, I am delighted to hear you like the painting & I decided to keep it. And I note you have arranged for your bank to start payments on March 1. I will certainly let you know if I hear of any of the paintings of 1957 – 59 coming on the market. I should also be very pleased to call on you if I find myself in the Sheffield area in the future. Meanwhile if you were in London you would always be welcome to come in for a drink at my studio. With all good wishes, Yours sincerely,
Keith Vaughan

9 Belsize Park, NW3
11 April, 1967 Dear Gordon Hargreaves, Thank you for your letter. I’m delighted to know that The Deposition is still working well and that you’re pleased with it. I should be pleased to have you come over again with John Ball & would suggest the Sunday afternoon of 7 of May about 4 o’clock if that is suitable. I shall look forward to seeing you. Yours sincerely, Keith Vaughan
9 Belsize Park, NW3
20 July, 1967

Dear Gordon, I am glad to know you got the picture safely & that you’re pleased with it I enclose a statement for your insurance people. I wonder if I might ask you a favour? As usual I omitted to get the picture photographed before it left me, & I very much want a record of it. If there is anyone up in Sheffield who could take a full-plate colour transparency, or, failing that, a black-&-white photograph. Maybe the museum may know someone competent to do this, or maybe there is a department & University. If you could arrange for this to be done (naturally at my expense) I will be most grateful. It is good of you to offer to put me up for the opening of my show after at the Tib Lane. But at the moment I do not know if I shall be able to get up because of the opening of the Slade term. I will have to let you know about this later. All good wishes, Sincerely,
Keith Vaughan

9 Belsize Park, NW3
2 August, 1967 Dear Gordon, Thank you very much for the transparency. I agree the negative has not been used very economically, but it is perfectly adequate for my purpose & I am most grateful. Please ask the photographer to send his bill to me. I’m glad you getting Lazarus IV – Orange and Blue (which is the correct title from the 1960 Matthiesen catalogue). I’m sorry I got the details wrong on the new painting – it is as on the back of the canvas – Crowd Assembling 1967. Best wishes to you both,
Keith Vaughan

9 Belsize Park, NW3
16 October, 1968 Dear Gordon,
The Marzotto pictures (five) won’t be back until late summer of next year. I could lend you some of the new large ones after the Malborough show in January (provided I still own them) but I shall know this until sometime in February – the actual date of the show is not yet fixed. Otherwise the only large pictures I own are Reclining Nude of 1949 (which was at the Tib Lane) & two 48 X 36 vertical landscapes from 1964 (but one of these is at the moment on approval via the Redfern). So it’s bit difficult to say definitely what I could let you have in the way of large pictures apart from the Reclining Nude. If you can manage with just that & anything else I might have of the 1964 landscapes, then fine. Otherwise it might be better to wait until the 5 Marzotto pictures return. But again I cannot promise something may not be sold en route as they have to be offered for sale. Think it over & let me know what you decide I can almost certainly let you have small things – particularly gouaches. As ever, Keith Vaughan
9 Belsize Park, NW3
2 November, 1968

Dear Gordon,
I will certainly let you have the Reclining Figure of 1950 & any other large canvases which I still possess next March. It is not possible to be more precise of the moment. I’m surprised to hear Marlborough have VI Assembly. This was bought from me by a private collector in 1962. If Marlborough Fine Art now have it they must have bought it back or are going to resell it. They might well be willing to lend it to you, or anything else they have, next March. There will be no harm in asking. Write to John Longstaff who handles my work there. All good wishes, Keith Vaughan

9 Belsize Park, NW3 28 December, 1968

Dear John,
Thank you for the cheque for the Yazza picture. I’m sorry you’re not able to keep the other one, but I should be very happy to have it back as I now have only three or four left from the 1965 lot. I’m glad you & Gordon enjoyed the Marlborough show & it was good of you to go to the trouble of coming down especially. I have in fact got the Crowd Assembly marked on the canvas #2, but there seemed be no point in putting that in the catalogue only to provoke the obvious question “Where is #1”, so there won’t be any confusion in years to come (?). If you would like to add #1 to your canvas, by all means do. I have it thus entered in my records. With all good wishes for the New Year & I hope to see you again soon. As ever, Keith V.

The Slade School of Fine Art
Gower Street, WC1
13 January, 1969
Dear Gordon,
Thank you for your letter. You can quote anything you like from the published extracts from my journal since the copyright belongs to me. I’m glad you were able to see the show again. I wonder which painting you mean by the Two Figures in a Landscape, as there is nothing by that title. Possibly you mean the one reproduced inside the catalogue. I imagine Marlborough will let you borrow anything you want which is not sold – (which includes most of them). I am going to be fairly involved with interviews etc. here for the weeks beginning January 20 & February 10. Otherwise you can come & choose the gouaches etc. whenever you like. Early in the week, i.e. Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday, or the weekend is best as I tend to go to Essex Thu & Fri when possible – but I don’t have to. Just let me know when you want to come over. Best wishes,
Keith

9 Belsize Park, NW3
25 March, 1969

Dear Gordon, I’m sorry I have not been in touch, but I’ve been laid low with a virus infection for the last fortnight. I still feel somewhat washed out. Consequently I’m sorry to say I have not been able to do anything about having your gouache framed. But I will do so as soon as I can get around again. Thank you for the transparency which has turned out quite well. It doesn’t look as though I shall be able to get up to Sheffield for the show now. But I’m glad you think it looks good. Will get in touch again shortly. Best wishes, Keith
9 Belsize Park, NW3
28 May, 1969 Dear Gordon, Thank you very much for the cheque for the two pictures. I’m sorry to have to been so slow with getting the gouache framed. It is now ready for collection from the framers & I was going to get it this week. But if you’re coming to London it would certainly be easier if you wouldn’t mind collecting it. It is with J. C. Farley, 20 Emerald Street, WC1 (which runs parallel with Lambs Conduit Street off the Theobald’s Road). I will tell them you will be calling for it on Friday or Saturday. Sorry not to be able to see you, but I shall be going up to the country on Friday. Best wishes,
Keith Vaughan

9 Belsize Park, NW3
9 November, 1970

Dear John,
I’m glad you like Gainsford End (11) & have decided to keep it. So I will work it out as sold to you, at £200 (Vaughan Units). Your scheme for dealing in Marlborough Units sounds ingenious, but I’m not too sure how well I come out of it. In principle I feel that if I agreed to take back a painting after several years I am entitled to the benefit of any potential increase in its value, since I have to negotiate another sale. If you, as the seller want to get rid of the picture & make a capital gain then I feel you should chance your luck in the same room with the dealer. So far as I’m concerned I can only offer you back what you paid for it (£300). That leaves you with a credit balance of £100 (VU). If you want another gouache therefore it would cost you £175 (ex studio) & not £250 pounds (MU) in fact I think it better if we deal in VUs. I hope you see my point. I will, of course, take back the small black gouache which you find rather ordinary. I can well understand how you feel about the Bedford job. I am always filled with terror at the prospect of a major change of routine, yet have a puritanical & masochistic feeling it’s good for one. So far as London is concerned I would think you are missing very little. I’m sure it seems much more swinging from Leeds. To me it’s exhausting & depressing rather than stimulating. But then I am an old man. Anyway I hope you get a decision soon. Whichever way it goes it’s always better than indecision. I look forward to seeing you again soon. If you could get the small gouache back to me as soon as possible I will be grateful as there is usually demand for such things around Christmas. All good wishes, Yours, Keith

9 Belsize Park, NW3
13 January, 1971
Dear John, I’m glad the painting arrived safely. They’re certainly brisk. There is never any great hurry to varnish pictures. Provided the air in the room is adequate to support life, the paint will not deteriorate within the lifetime. The only time it is necessary is where the paint surface is excessively matt – & therefore porous – or has dried unevenly (some areas matt, some shiny). In about a year’s time we ought to have a look at 2 small panels (Gainsford End) & see how they’re drying out. Sometimes you get a bit of splitting in the dark areas which need attention. But all the large canvases have been varnished, with a wax mastic varnish in varying proportions to give the required service, & should need no further attention for about 100 years. Fishermen & Bathers I varnished at Whitechapel, but of course I haven’t seen it since. The service should look matt, but it shouldn’t be crumbly. Yours as ever, Keith

9 Belsize Park, NW3
25 March, 1971

Dear John, Thank you for your letter & the cheque. John Langstaff called the other day flushed with triumph to announce that he’d “managed to sell” the Horizontal Figure! For my part I couldn’t be more pleased that the picture has found such a sympathetic home. I’m only sorry you had to pay so much for it. But there was nothing I can do about that once the MFA had their claws on it. You must choose a drawing of something next time you’re here as a little gift to make up for it. Incidentally I was able to give the canvas its final varnish when I had it back here (it’s only a very thin coat of wax mastic & quite imperceptible). I enclose a card for the Leeds show in case you’re that way & I look forward to seeing you & Hugh Davie’s on April 15. As ever, Keith

9 Belsize Park, NW3
6 May, 1971 Dear John, Boulets collected the picture this afternoon & will be sending it by rail as soon it is packed. “within the next day or two.” I noticed that the battening had split on the side. There seems little point in repairing it before the journey, but if you wish to have it repaired or reframed (at my expense), please do so. Transport is also borne by the artist when operating as his own dealer. I enclose a statement of the insurance values. I much enjoyed our lunch on Sunday. I have been fog bound in Essex since last weekend, but managed to get back today to low voltage heating – all very unpleasant & I look forward to the spring. Let me know when the picture arrives & if all is well (it is of course insured from leaving my studio until the arrival at the University). Yours as ever, Keith

The Slade School of Fine Art
9 Belsize Park, NW3
25 October, 1971

Dear John, Much as I would like you to have the Musicians I hate to have to say that I really could not agree to take back the Deposition in part exchange. The point is that it is not at all easy to sell a painting of that size from my studio & the Marlborough would not be agreeable to include it in my next show of new work, whereas they would want to show the Musicians as it has not been shown in London before & there is a good chance of finding buyer. I’m sorry to have to be so commercially minded. Of course if the problem is only one of payment & you really want both pictures then you could certainly spread the payments over a period of time, as you did once before, & even delay the start of payment until the next financial year. On the other hand if you want to get rid of the Deposition I can only suggest you put it into the sale room & meanwhile I will give you first refusal on the Musicians should any other collector become interested I hope this doesn’t seem too unreasonable. As ever, Keith

Gower Street, WC1
2 November, 1971 Dear John,
Many thanks for the cheque for Musicians. Booklet of collecting it tomorrow & I will ask them to let you know when they dispatch it – I don’t suppose they will be able to tell you when British Rail will deliver it, though they might have some idea. I have heard from Hugh Davies & all is settled, also from Pat & seems pleased with the new landscape. Don’t bother at all about payment for the Tilbury Landscape until next year. May say that your continuing patronage is a source of much encouragement & reassurance. So many people are only interested now in my earlier work. So I feel I should finish in the proper style – Yr. humble & obedient servant, Keith

9 Belsize Park, NW3 25 February, 1972 Dear Gordon,
Sorry to be so slow in replying. I’m glad the new small figure group looks good. It should be insured for £350 pounds. Thank you also for the transparency which will do very well for my records. Sometimes when convenient could I have one of the Musicians as I have no record of this picture except in an unfinished state.
Best wishes, Keith
The Slade School of Fine Art
Gower Street, WC1
16 May, 1972 Dear John, Thank you for your letter & cheque. I was sorry not to be able to see you when you were last down. But Sundays are normally rather difficult during the summer as I like to come back from the country on Monday morning when the traffic is easier. I’m not surprised you were punch-drunk by the R. A. Wild horses wouldn’t drag me there. The only things I’ve seen recently worthwhile was Bernard Cohen’s show at the Hayward, particularly the early things.

Very grateful for the information about the Sotheby’s sale. I knew there was something of mine but didn’t know what. Sorry Hugh Davies didn’t manage to get it. As far as I remember it was quite a good one (I don’t know who sold it. It was sold by Reid & Lefevre for 20 guineas)
Yes there are some new landscape panels which I don’t think you have seen. The 1949 Interior with Figures is still with the restorer. His wife died suddenly some weeks ago which has naturally caused some delay. I will certainly let you know when I have it back. And of course you are always welcome to call whenever you’re here. As ever, Keith
9 Belsize Park, NW3
18 May, 1972

Dear John, I was dining with Peter Meyer last night & he told me he wanted to sell the 1953 gouache of mine Nude Study 16 x 13 No. 156 in Whitechapel cat. & plate XLV. I seem to remember you being interested, or knowing someone who is interested in this picture, so I have brought it back here & I told him I would write to you. He is asking £300 for it. If you are not interested I thought perhaps Hugh might be. Anyway the picture is here & I thought you might like to know about it. As ever, Keith

9 Belsize Park, NW3 12 June, 1972

Dear John,
Just to let you know that I now have back the Interior with Nude Figures of 1951 repaired & re-lined very successfully – in fact it is impossible to tell it was ever damaged. So next time you’re down it will be here for you to see As ever, Keith

9 Belsize Park, NW3
13 July, 1972

Dear John, Thank you for your letter. I am glad Brans End [?] is standing up to its job. Regarding the second part of your letter I will gladly cooperate. Look forward to hearing from you again soon. As ever, Keith
9 Belsize Park, NW3
13 September, 1972

Dear John, Thank you for your letter & cheque. I’m interested that you have parted with the Lazarus painting to Hugh. I hope he will be happy with it. Ganymede is at the moment under reserve, with several other canvases, to Merton College SCR. I will let you know if & when it is available. My feeling is that it is a perfectly good canvas of the period, but rather similar in style to the Deposition. Though this may not be a disadvantage if you like the work of the period.
I would happily give you first refusal on the next 50 X 40 I do. There is one on the racks at the moment. I can’t remember if I’ve shown it to you – a single figure against a dark background. It’s a bit brutal at the moment. I’m not sure about it yet. I will show it to you when you’re next down. I’m glad Gordon is pleased with the Moroccans. I can’t say at the moment whether I can make it with Pru. It’s just before term starts & I’ve rather a lot of tiresome chores on. But I’ll try. As ever, Keith

9 Belsize Park, NW3 11 September, 1973

Dear John,
I enclose a cheque for £50 which now balances out our accounts to date. I quite understand your position & I’m perfectly willing to have the landscape back. I shall be in Essex over next weekend so shall not be able to come over on the 16th, but I hope we meet soon. As ever,
Keith
Harrow Hill, Toppesfield,
Essex April 5, 1974

Dear John, Thanks for sending on the amusing letter of Patrick Heron. I’m glad you managed to see the things with Waddington. Victor tells me you are being sent invitations to the opening on April 23 in case you are around. I will try & remember to take up the folder of gouaches to H. H. next weekend. Would you both like to come over to lunch on Easter Sunday, if you could stand a family meal with my 92-year-old mum? You would be welcome, but I shall understand if you would prefer to come in during the afternoon. Drop me a line to H. H. (Harrow Hill, Topsfield, Hallstead, Essex) to say whether – since I shall be there almost all the time now until after Easter. As ever, Keith
9 Belsize Park, NW3
18 June, 1974
Dear John, I have to go to Harrow Hill tomorrow with my Ma. for a promised week to celebrate a 93rd birthday. Shall be back (if still alive) on June 26 & will try & contact Herr Reichmann the following week. I didn’t know about the Blue Assembly at Christies. If you get any further information about price & buyer I would be grateful to have it. If you & Gordon want a place to stay in London during your letting you would be welcome to come here when it’s empty which is certainly every weekend. I could arrange for you to collect keys from my mother in Lyncroft Gardens not far away. Just say. There’s no point in leaving the place empty & I shall only need to spend one or two weekday nights here. Ramsay & I certainly want to come up to Sheffield. It’s just a question of fixing a time. He goes to stay with his mother near Hull for 10 days from August 21. As ever, Keith
9 Belsize Park, NW3 27 June, 1974 Dear John, Many thanks for your letter. I will talk over with Ramsay your suggestions about visiting Sheffield on his way to Hull in August. Meanwhile this is just to let you know you would be welcome to have the flat from the 11-13 July. Would you collect the keys from my mother on your way down, from 72 Lyncroft Gardens, NW6 (a turning south off Finchley Road opposite Heath Drive). I will leave you to arrange the bed situation as you wish. As ever, Keith

[Undated note written on the back of a Tate invitation card, for a an exhibition of Graphic work by Henry Moore] Dear John & Gordon,
I’m afraid the flat is in a bit of a shambles after the floods. I got back to find there was no electricity due to flooding in the basement but I’ve got the LEB to do a temporary connection, which you will see. Anyhow it works. The cistern in the lavatory also tends to overflow so when you leave would you turn off the cock stop on the inlet pipe – also the pilot light on the bathroom Ascot. Amusez-vous – K
9 Belsize Park, NW3
18 July, 1974 Dear John Glad everything was okay at the flat. About the northern visit: could R & I come up to you later afternoon on Monday 19 August by train? Tuesday we would spend sightseeing & I would come back with you by car on Wednesday when R goes on to Hull. That would be very enjoyable if you could cope with us for two days. I will bear in mind what you say about Troy’s Farm & let you know if anyone else comes after it. Thanks to Gordon for the information about Blue Assembly. I’m afraid Mr. Lawson would not get anything more cheaply from me. It was only £20 more than the original buyer from the Marlborough. As ever,
Keith

9 Belsize Park, NW3
6 January, 1975

Dear John & Gordon, Thank you for a very enjoyable evening. I stayed too late, I drank too much, & I talked too much; all of which I was in dire need of doing – & I enjoyed every moment of it. As ever,
Keith Harrow Hill, Toppesfield
Essex 21 July,1975

Dear John, Pru was up here yesterday & brought greetings from you (she intended to bring some cash also but had left it in the wrong bag! No matter – it is in safe hands) which reminded me that I have not thanked you for your Edouart card. Yes I’m much better, physically, rather bored psychologically. Convalescence is very nice in the morning (no one expects you to get up) but boring in the evening (you are expected to go to bed early – since there is nothing else to do). I have my kidney stone in a sterile jar (my first work in three dimensions) & a large zip fastener embedded in the left side of my torso. It looks as though it could be opened up for inspection whenever necessary. Pru says you’re running short of goldfish. There are plenty in the pond. Why not drop in sometime & catch some. As long as the weather holds I shall dawdle on here for some weeks (driving is still difficult – the zip seems to get caught up with the intestines – you know how painful a carelessly zipped up fly can be). But I shall reappear sometime.

What are your plans? Is my flat any use to you? It is quite unoccupied and you can always collect the keys from “Mama”(she is here at the moment but will be taken back at the end of the week). It would be good to see you both soon, somewhere. As ever, Keith

9 Belsize Park, NW3
16 March, 1976 Dear John, I was very glad when Leslie told me you had decided to have the 9th Assembly. Two other people wanted it at the opening so I was particularly glad that you got in first. It will certainly round off your collection more than the Deposition.
Hope to see you March 19 weekend. At the moment I’m in the boring & rather harrowing process of going through all my mother’s belongings & dispensing with them. I have got one or two small landscapes about 8 X 10. They will probably be going to the Tib Lane show in the autumn, can be seen previously. As ever, Keith
9 Belsize Park, NW3 4 March, 1977 Dear John, Yes it’s by me all right. It’s all red. And 1945 would be about the right date. I remember [Michael] Redgrave buying it. Can’t think why it wasn’t signed. Must have just forgotten it. Unless the bottom has been trimmed on the signature is under the amount. As ever,
Keith
9 Belsize Park, NW3
Dear John, No, it certainly is not by me. There must be another Vaughan lurking somewhere Love,
Keith

BACK TO ARTICLES >