Vaclav Spala (Czech 1885-1946)[ARR]/The Old Tower at the Entrance to Marseille Port/signed and dated 1926/oil on canvas, 63cm x 80cm/Provenance: This picture was brought out of Czechoslovakia in 1938 by its owner, Norbert Gross, a solicitor and a collector of contemporary art. Having been advised by a Sudeten German that he was on a Nazi list, he left Prague hurriedly with his wife Mitzi and arrived in London where he had professional contacts. Thence by descent to the vendor/Literature: Recorded in the artist's archive, No.123/Note: ? pala, a painter and graphic designer, studied at Prague Academy. His early work was influenced by Fauvism and later by Cubism. From 1923 he produced many still life paintings and landscapes. He was initially rejected by Czech society, but later lionised and recognised with the title 'National Artist' in 1946 . His work is highly sought after and he is considered to be a 20th Century great by Czech collectors *PLEASE NOTE ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT MAY APPLY TO THIS LOT*