John Melville, British 1902-1986 篓 The Spanish Comb, 1964; oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right 'John Melville 1964', titled to the reverse, 126 x 94.3 cm (ARR) Note: a self-taught artist, Melville was one the key members of the vital Birmingham Surrealists, along with Conroy Maddox, and fundamentally one of the most important Surrealist artists working in the UK. His work was included in all major Surrealist exhibitions in the England in the 1930s and 40s. This is an example of a few portraits likely inspired by Picasso. For another example, see "Portrait of a Lady", 1947 in St Anne's College, University of Oxford. Please refer to department for condition report