An exuberant original watercolour depicting a wonderfully expressive yellow tropical fish amongst curling seaweed, colourful coral and stylised underwater plants.
The fish dominates the composition, with its oversized eye, exaggerated features and boldly patterned body. Around it, ribbons of turquoise, deep blue and green create a lively underwater world full of rhythm and movement.
The combination of delicate drawing and confident washes of colour gives the picture a particularly appealing decorative quality. There is something wonderfully humorous about the character of the fish, making this an unusual and uplifting piece of original artwork.
An intriguing history
The reverse retains an old handwritten label identifying the work as The Yellow Peril, together with the name Miss R. G. Norman and an address at Endebess, Kenya.
The label also records the medium as watercolour, a section designation and the words Not for Sale, suggesting a possible earlier exhibition or competition entry.
The identity of the artist remains unknown, as does the precise purpose for which these highly decorative marine studies were created.
One of three original marine watercolours from the same collection, each sharing the same playful imagination and distinctive colour palette.Believed to date from the first half of the 20th century, circa 1930–1950.
The two companion watercolours, Dandy and Joan and The Octopus, are also available to purchase individually.
No visible signature established. Titled 'The Yellow Peril' on a handwritten label verso. Undated.
Watercolour on paper.
Max Width - 34cm/ 13.5"
Max Height - 27cm / 10.5"
Age-related wear and discolouration consistent with age. Please refer to photographs.
Framed and glazed in a narrow, pale painted wooden frame.
