A talented fellow student of John Lennon’s at the Liverpool College of Art, Stuart Sutcliffe (1940–1962) played the bass (unremarkably, some note) in the first incarnation of the Beatles. Uncomfortable on stage, he soon left the group to devote himself to his art career; not long after, he died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of twenty-one. Sutcliffe’s handwritten notations on his painting style, on one light green 5.5 x 8 sheet. Sutcliffe writes, in part, “The reality of my pictured is elsewhere, it is in the mind. The essence was intellectual and emotional…Probably owe a lot to the Celtic love of complicated linear designs. I take my structure from nature then infuse it with expressive colour.” Also included is a Christmas gift tag, filled out on the inside in black ink, “Dear Mother, Happy Christmas from your Stuart - xx,” as well as a red ribbon. In fine condition, with a bisecting horizontal fold, a few light creases, and two partial fingerprints. COA Roger Epperson/REAL and R&R COA.
