Lot 126: Leaves Orbiting

Berenice Sydney (1944-1983) Leaves Orbiting signed and dated 'Berenice 5'71' (lower left), and dated again '18/5/71' (on the stretcher) oil on canvas, unframed 48 x 48 in. (122 x 122 cm.)

122 x 122 cm.

London, Kenwood House, Charlotte Mayer and Berenice Sydney, September - October 1973, no. 6, as 'Painting with Olive Green and Venetian Red'.

Sparked by her travels through Greece and her admiration for Titian's Bacchus and Ariadne, Berenice became interested in ancient mythology which lead to a series of works loosely inspired by ivy leaves. Sacred to Bacchus, ivy symbolised immortality. Berenice used the intricate shape of the plant to create a colourful patchwork surface that is simultaneously abstract and representational, contemporary and ancient.