P. A. Barnard, Yellow Flowers in a Vase

The picture is signed ‘P Barnard’, and a label on the back gives the name as P. A. Barnard. The label prices it at eight guineas in pounds, shillings and pence, so it was written before decimalisation in 1971.

A loose bunch of yellow flowers, sunflowers or a close relation, rises from a dark, glinting vase. The petals are laid on in short, thick strokes. The background shades from soft grey to rose, with a warm shadow around the foot of the vase.

Oil on canvas, signed lower right ‘P Barnard’. On the reverse, a torn handwritten label reads ‘Woldingham [W]oods’, ‘Price £8=8=0’ and ‘P A. Barnard’. In a painted cream wooden frame.