Stanley Cursiter, C.B.E, P.R.S.W., R.S.A.

The Drambuie Collection, Scotland;
Their sale Lyon & Turnbull, Edinburgh, 26 January 2006, lot 148

STRUCTURE Original canvas. There is a very minor area of craquelure left of the left-hand figure's face and some craquelure in the curtain right of the chair; otherwise the work appears in very good overall condition. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT Under UV light there appear to be some very minor flecks of retouching along the right side of the upper edge and also in the dress of the left-hand figure. There appear to be some minor cosmetic retouchings to both faces, which have been well executed. FRAME Held in a gilt 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."

It is likely that the models for The Seamstress were Cursiter's wife Phyliss who posed for the seated figure and a favourite model named Poppy Lowe whose pretty features appear in other works by Cursiter. Poppy was the subject of Girl in White a sumptuous portrait painted in 1922 (Sotheby's, 29 September 2010, lot 75) and another portrait entitled Taffeta which was exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1923. Both Poppy and Phyliss appear in another similar painting also dated 1923 (private collection) in which Phyliss is seated on a sofa with her violin beside her whilst Poppy plays a piano beyond. Phyllis Eda Hourston, daughter of James Hourston was a talented musician from Orkney whom Cursiter married in 1914 shortly before signing up for 'Cameronians', the 1st Battalion of the Scottish Rifles.

The Seamstress is similar to a self portrait with Poppy and Phyliss entitled Chez Nous which is now at the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh where Cursiter served as Keeper from 1924 and Director between 1930 and 1948. Chez Nous was painted in 1925 and exhibited at the Glasgow Institute of Fine Art that year. It shares several compostional similarities, such as the grouping of figures in front of diaphanous white curtains at a Curstier's studio window overlooking the street. Another comparable picture is House of Cards of 1924 (Tankerness House Museum, Orkney) which shares the glimmering colour scheme of pale tones and bright sunlight.