Sir John Lavery, R.A., R.S.A., R.H.A.

The canvas has been lined. There are some extremely minor suggestions of old paint separation in places, primarily towards the top edge. There is some evidence of some light frame abrasion to the left hand edge. There is some very light surface dirt. Otherwise in good condition. Ultraviolet light reveals areas of retouching to the section beneath the figures. There are other small scattered ares of retouching in places and some fluorescent patches around the inscription in the lower right corner, possibly due to heightening. Held in a highly decorative gold painted frame in fair condition.
"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."

Sir John Lavery's celebrated work entitled The State visit of Queen Victoria to the International Exhibition Glasgow 1888 (Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum) was exhibited to great acclaim in 1890.  This important commission allowed Lavery an opening into high society which was consolidated in the summer of 1891 when he was the invited guest of Lord McLaren at Glencarron House, a shooting lodge in Wester Ross. This must have been a welcome opportunity for an artist with a rebellious reputation that had been kept at arms length by the Royal Scottish Academy and the art establishment. Lavery developed close personal and professional relationships with the McLaren family throughout the 1890s as a result of this initial meeting in Glencarron.  He was commissioned to paint portraits of Lord McLaren, his wife Ohilie Augusta Schwabe and a joint portrait of their daughters Esther and Katherine.  He also painted an informal portrait of Katherine at Glencarron as well as a sketch of Esther in Rome.  Additionally he produced a series of sketches for the Gun Room at Glencarron.

Despite later speculation within the family that a romance existed between Lavery and Esther McLaren, the dedication on the current work appears to be a token of affection rather than love. Esther was married in April 1899 and this canvas is likely to have been a wedding gift upon Lavery's visit which he made in the same year in order to paint a portrait of Lord McLaren. The current work displays Lavery's confidence and wonderful freedom of brushwork, deftly executed to produce a picture of exceptional quality that so perfectly captures the highlands of Scotland at their gentlest and most benign.