PETER BLAKE RA (born 1932) British (AR) Study for 'A Black Woman' Oil on canvas panel, signed, titled and dated 1996, inscribed to verso 'Study for 'A Black Woman' after a French 19th century painting. This painting was made while I was Associate Artist at the National Gallery, London 1996', framed and glazed. 15 x 20 cm (25.5 x 20.4 cm backboard measurement). Note: The French 19th century painting cited by Blake, 'A Black Woman', has been variously attributed to Delacroix, Fromentin and Marie-Guillemine Benoist. Now unattributed, the oil on canvas is thought to be by a French hand and of the later 19th century. Inventory number NG3250, it was acquired as part of the Sir Hugh Lane bequest in 1917. Provenance: The current vendor acquired the present painting as part payment for a property deal brokered by Savills in 2008 between the vendor and Niall Haigh, previously a fine art dealer based in Cork Street.