George John Pinwell

Pickford Waller (1840-1930), by descent to Sybil Waller;
Christie's, 1 October 1973, lot 61 (bt. for £1,890);
Fine Art Society, London;
Mr and Mrs John Speirs, 1974 (bt. for £3,250);
Fine Art Society, London, January 2006

The sheet appears sound. Some very faint and minor craquelure and paint loss in some of the white areas of bodycolour in the lady's dress, only visible upon close inspection; otherwise the colours remain strong throughout and the work in good overall condition. Presented in a gilt plaster frame under glass; 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."

As the day draws to an end and the bright sunlight gently dims on the landscape, an elegantly dressed lady shades herself with a parasol whilst reading a novel which she seems intent on finishing. She is unconsciously aware of her surrounding, the lushous glowing landscape, the house and barn on the hill, with horses and workers in the field beyond. Her children halt and ponder for a moment whilst she continues unaware; the sheep graze in the field whilst crows circle hauntingly above a ploughed field in the top left hand corner and settle in the longer green grass. The moon is partially evident in the blue sky anticipating the transition from day to night.

This beautiful watercolour by George John Pinwell is reminiscent of and certainly influenced by some of the great Pre-Raphaelite works including Ford Madox Brown's Pretty Baa-Lambs (1851-9), John Everett Millais's Waiting (1854) and The Blind Girl 1856 (all three in the collection of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery). Pinwell uses the white of the paper to create beautiful opalescent translucency in his bright and colourful watercolour tones, adding chalky bold bodycolour to create an intensely imaginative dreamlike scene.

Pinwell would have been consciously aware of the modern Pre-Raphaelites - their influence was far reaching. He came from a poor background; he was born in 1842 at Wycombe and studied at St. Martin's Lane and Heatherley's Academies. He was closely associated to a small group of talented watercolour painters including John William North, Arthur Boyd Houghton and Fred Walker who he met whilst working working for Josiah Wood Whymper as a wood engraver.

Pinwell, Walker and North are often discussed as part of an Idyllist group, although it is not certain as to whether this group ever existed in a physical sense. Pinwell was a much closer friend with North than Walker and travelled together, Pinwell often adding in figures to North's exquisite landscapes. He contributed images and illustrations to a number of publications including The Quiver, London Society and The Sunday Magazine. He was a particularly good book illustrator and was given important commissions by the Dalziel Brothers for many works including the Arabian Nights, Robert Buchanan's Ballads and Jean Ingelow's poems. During his career he exhibited at the Dudley Gallery and the Royal Watercolour Society becoming a full member of the RWS in 1870. Sadly, Pinwell's artistic genius was short lived after becoming seriously ill in Africa in the winter of 1874, he died shortly after at home. The present work brings the qualities of a gifted follower of the Pre-Raphaelites together with the spontaneous and technical skills of a great illustrator whose work was full of dazzling colour and jewel-like quality.