William Edward Millner

Sotheby's, London, 29 May 1968, lot 95 (attributed to G. W. Mote);
Thomas Agnew & Sons, London, where bought by Sir David Scott in March 1969 

STRUCTURE The canvas has been relined. The edge of the original canvas is visible along the upper edge. PAINT SURFACE There is scattered craquelure throughout and a faint stretcher mark running vertically down the right border, all stabilised by the relining. In stable condition. Some surface dirt. ULTRAVIOLET UV light reveals infilling to craquleure, mainly to the sky and tree area in the background. FRAME Held in a lightly decorated gold composite frame.
"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."

William Edward Millner, best known for his genre and animal paintings, particularly of horses, lived and worked all his life in Gainsborough in Lincolnshire. His father, also christened William (1818-1870), was a local painter and teacher. Millner exhibited some of his more rustic works at the Royal Academy between 1869 and 1896 such as Labourers, Unyoking, and Ploughing, Lincolnshire. The Gainsborough Old Hall Museum contains a number of his paintings and  A Wayside Gossip, signed and dated 1873, is at the Tate. Returning From the Fields is a particularly charming example of Millner's work in which a rustic female field-worker returns from her labours in the barley fields with her arms filled with harvested sheaves and a large bundle balanced on her head.