THE HEAD OF A WOMAN.

Image: Abbott and Holder.

  • Title(s): Portrait study of a girl (Bonham’s, 2013); Head of a girl (Abbott and Holder, 2014).
  • Description:
  • Media: “Oil on canvas laid on board” (Bonham’s, Oxford, 2013).
  • Dimensions: average 27.5 x 25.7. cm; “29 x 26cm” (Bonham’s, Oxford, 2013); “11×10 inches. Framed: 17×16.25 inches” (Abbott and Holder, 2014).
  • Signature/date/other text: none on front of canvas.
  • History:
    • c. 1931? – Painted c. 1931 (by association with the An Image of Desire).
    • 1934 – Auctioned Christie’s, 9 Feb. (Abbott and Holder.)
    • 2013 May 15 – Auctioned Bonham’s, Oxford, “portrait study of a girl by J.W. Synnerton [mispelled as on auction web page], oil on canvas laid on board 29 x 26cm … unframed”, sold: premium £75 (along with ‘Portrait of a seated man’, attributed to Victor Pasmore RA).
    • 2014 Oct – Sold Abbott and Holder, “Head of a girl. Possibly a study for ‘The Soul’s Journey: the Soul’s Awakening’ (Glasgow Museums) Oil on canvas laid on board. Provenance: Annie Swynnerton Studio Sale Christies, 9th Feb. 1934. 11×10 inches. Framed: 17×16.25 inches.”, £675.
  • Location: ?

There were nine lots in the posthumous studio sale with this or related titles, including “Head of a girl singing” (lot 98).

Note similarity to the figure in An Image of Desire:

Page last updated 21 Nov 2025.