George Frederic Watts, O.M., R.A.

Sotheby's, 21 June 1989, lot 125;
Private collection

STRUCTURE Original canvas. There is a small minor light surface scratch in the upper left corner and a few areas of minor craquelure to the woman's chest and to the red background near her shoulder. Otherwise the surface is in apparently good condition. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT UV reveals an opaque uneven varnish which makes the reading difficult to interpret. There appear to be a few flecked retouchings to the woman's brow, an area above her right shoulder, and a few flecks to her skirt in the foreground. There may be other flecks and areas of retouching that are obscured by the current varnish. FRAME Held under glass in a gilt plaster frame; unexamined out of frame. STRUCTURE Original canvas. There is a small minor surface scratch*** in the upper left corner and a few areas of craquelure to the woman's chest and to the red background near her shoulder. Otherwise the surface is in apparently good original condition. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT UV reveals an opaque uneven varnish which makes the reading difficult to interpret. There appear to be a few flecked retouching to the woman's brow, an area above her right shoulder, and a few flecks to her skirt in the foreground. There may be other flecks and areas of retouching that are obscured by the current varnish. FRAME Held under glass in a gilt plaster frame; unexamined out of 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."

Around 1891 Watts asked his friend Lady Granby, an artist herself, to 'suggest a young pretty subject for a portrait of a different type from any he had already painted.' (Mary Watts MS.cat.II, 25). She found Norah Mary Madeline, the daughter of Major the Hon. Edward Roden Bourke and later the wife of Captain Henry Lindsay, Violet Granby's brother.