Although by a relatively unknown artist today, this painting is considered a masterpiece of British modernist painting. It shows Stephenson’s interest in modernist architecture, which was emerging in Britain at this time. The abstracted forms are bold, dynamic and uncompromising, suggesting a new and radical spirit of modernity. It was painted in 1937. This year saw the publication of the Circle manifesto and related Circle exhibition, where this painting almost certainly featured. Together these represented the most significant and radical manifestation of modernism of the time and cemented British artists’ position at the forefront of the European avant-garde.