Elizabeth Adela Stanhope Forbes 1859-1912

Judith Cook and Melissa Hardie, Singing from the Walls: he Life and Art of Elizabeth Forbes, 2000, (Museum Interior) cat. no. 4.185, illus. p. 34, (Still Life with Candle) cat. no. 4.248

'STILL LIFE WITH A CANDLE': STRUCTURE: The board has slightly warped. SURFACE: The paint surface appears to be dirty and should benefit from cleaning. UV LIGHT: Under UV Light there is no evidence of old retouchings. FRAME: contained in a simple light oak frame and Hessian mount. COLOUR COMPARISON: The original compares well to the catalogue illustration. 'MUSEUM INTERIOR': STRUCTURE: A vertical crack appears through the middle through to half way down the marble base board. SURFACE: Appears to be slightly dirty and should benefit from cleaning. FRAME: contained in a simple light oak frame and Hessian mount. COLOUR COMPARISON: The colours are more subtle and not as brown as the catalogue illustration suggests.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These two interesting panels were painted when the young Elizabeth Forbes was a student at the South Kensington Art Schools, of which she wrote; 'It was almost a pity I was set so soon to follow the school routine; most of my companions were beyond me in age and development. But the Museum was a treasure house of inexhaustible delight and although my artistic taste has passed through many phases since those days, I find that many things which drew me most strongly then are potent to move me still - the beautiful fragment attributed to Buonarotti, the Madonna of the downcast lids that seem to quiver, so soft and living and warm is the marble face; and the terracotta copies of the calm prelates who sleep with folded hands on their tombs in the room of the Italian Renaissance.' (Judith Cook and Melissa Hardie, Singing from the Walls: he Life and Art of Elizabeth Forbes, 2000, p. 35)