Paul Lake (British, 1959-2006), Ronald and Reginald Kray, Down But Not Out

Paul Lake (British, 1959-2006) Ronald and Reginald Kray, Down But Not Out 1989 Oil on canvas Signed 'P. Lake '89' lower left Inscribed 'RONNIE REGGIE 89' 'DOWN..... BUT NOT OUT!' verso   Accompanied by a signed letter dated 1st June 2012, confirming its authenticity and ownership.    This painting is the only ever commissioned portrait of the notorious East End gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray and was purportedly their favourite image of themselves. It was painted by Surrey-born artist Paul Lake in 1989, who communicated with the twins regarding the painting, who were at the time incarcerated in Broadmoor and Maidstone respectively, via a close friend. The painting is based on the famous series of photographs of the twins by David Bailey. Paul Lake was himself a friend of the twins, having been briefly incarcerated with them whilst serving a two-year sentence for ‘conspiracy to defraud the clearing banks’. The brothers had encouraged the then young Paul Lake in his artistic endeavours, ensuring he had the peace and quiet to practice in prison.  Paul Lake was a patron of the Colony Room, the famous Soho bar which was frequented by the Krays and other members of the Soho artistic scene, including painter Francis Bacon. Bacon was purportedly a kind of mentor to the young Paul Lake, and may have encouraged him to paint the Krays, who were known to him. Both Ronnie and Reggie were great admirers of Bacon, knew him personally, and both used to send him letters, drawings and even paintings when incarcerated.    This painting went missing when the owner was serving time between 1991-96. The painting re-surfaced around 2002 at auction, where it was purchased by a private collector. The previous owner communicated with the purchaser and was compensated, in his words “the act of a gentleman”. It was then purchased by the current owner in May 2012 from the collector, alongside the previous owner and Charlie Kray’s former business associate Brian Long.    A limited-edition print of the painting was created to raise funds for the Sun’s campaign to have the twins released from prison. A version of this print was displayed on Ronnie’s hearse, wreathed in flowers, at his funeral procession in 1995.    The painting itself has a violent history. It has two repairs, one fixing a 9mm bullet hole through Reggie’s head, the other a 3-inch knife wound through Ronnie’s heart, done in 1995. Dimensions: 36 in. (H) x 28.5 in. (W)