Description
Book SynopsisArthur Jeffress was an art dealer and collector from a Virginian family who bequeathed his “subversive little collection” (Derek Hill) to Tate and Southampton City Art Gallery on his suicide in 1961. That suicide, a result of his expulsion from Venice, has been the subject of speculation in many memoirs. Gill Hedley’s biography of Jeffress has benefited from access to many hundreds of unpublished letters written between Jeffress and Robert Melville, who ran Jeffress’ own gallery from 1955-1961. The letters were written largely while Jeffress was in Venice and reveal a vivid picture of the London gallery world as well as frank details of artists, collectors and the definitive story of his suicide. Previously unpublished research reveals new information about the lives of Jeffress’ lover John Deakin, his business partner Erica Brausen, the French photographer André Ostier and Henry Clifford, and the way in which all of them influenced Jeffress’ first steps as a collector from the 1930s onwards.
Trade ReviewPicaresque and tragic by turns, packed full of incident, Gill Hedley has breathed new life into a near-forgotten figure. Soon not to have heard of Arthur Jeffress will be seen as betraying a shameful ignorance of our art historical past. * Robin Muir author of Under the Influence John Deakin, Photography and the Lure of Soho (2014) *
In this impressive and immersive biography, Gill Hedley seeks to go beyond Arthur Jeffress' reputation as 'flamboyant American millionaire, eccentric and exotic art collector, [and] tragic homosexual', revealing the complexities of the man behind the caricature whilst also offering a compelling portrait of the cultural jet set through much of the 20th century. * Art Quarterly *
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Virginia and New York 2. Acton and Tobacco 3. Harrow and the Far East 4. Cambridge 5. 1925 and its Consequences 6. Grand Tours 7. A Medley of Extemporanea 8. "The Muff was Particularly Unfortunate" 9. John Deakin and New Homes 10. The Zam Zam Adventure 11. "I Shall Still Be Hungry in the Spring" 12. "What A Lovely War. What Shall I Do At the End of It/" 13. "Tante Cose" 14. Modern Art to Frighten the Horses in Hampshire 15. Erica Brausen 16, The Hanover Gallery 17. "Arthur Jeffress for Painting" 18. Gentle Friends 19. Portrait of Arthur Jeffress 20. Dear Robert, Love Art 21. Private Lives 22. "My Love to the Wife and Kids" 23. Life in Venice 24. Death in Paris 25. At Home in Sunlight
