The diptych In the Garden (1971) is one of Greaves's most successful paintings. If there is a narrative then it is implied, not stated, alluded to rather than explained. But there is no obfuscation, just clarity. On the left an apple tree sapling spikily extends from bottom to top in contrast to the curvaceous figure in the right hand panel. The subject is reduced to essentials - a twig, a single figure - yet despite the economy, the effect is rich.
Provenance
Private Collection, London
History
Derrick Greaves. Recent Paintings, Whitechapel Art Gallery, London, 1973.
Pop Classical: Derrick Greaves Paintings from the 70's, James Hyman Gallery, London, 30 March - 28 April 2006.
Literature
James Hyman, Derrick Greaves:From Kitchen Sink to Shangri-La, Lund Humphries, London 2007, illustrated p.111.