Harold Gilman

The Estate of the Artist, from whom acquired by Lord and Lady Walston in 1955
Their sale, Christie's London, 6th June 2003, lot 14

Colchester, The Minories, Harold Gilman, 1876-1919, An English Post-Impressionist, 1st - 29th March 1969, cat. no.10, illustrated, with tour to The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford and Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield (as Interior);
Stoke on Trent, City Museum and Art Gallery, Harold Gilman 1876-1919, 10th October - 14th November 1981, cat. no.8, illustrated p.44, with Arts Council tour to York City Art Gallery, York; Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham, and Royal Academy of Arts, London (as Interior);
London, Christie's, The Painters of Camden Town, 1905-1920, 4th - 24th January 1988, cat. no.28 (as Interior).

Maureen Connett, Walter Sickert and the Camden Town Group, David & Charles, Newton Abbot, 1992, p.45, illustrated (as Interior (showing Grace and the Children)). 

The canvas appears to be original and sound. There is a very fine pattern of craquelure throughout, visible upon close inspection. There is some light surface dirt and studio matter to the surface. Subject to the above, the work appears to be in very good overall condition. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals old retouching to much of the craquelure, in particular to the central section around the figure's heads and the fireplace, and also apparent along the table and chair. There is also an area of retouching to the child's right sleeve. The work is presented in an ornate carved and gilt wooden frame. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."

Snargate Rectory was Gilman's family home on Romney March in Kent where Gilman's father was the parson until his death in 1917. When they were first married, Gilman lived there with his wife Grace from 1902-04 and the present work was painted on a later visit and depicts Grace kneeling down tending to the fire with Gilman's daughter Hannah seated at the table with their maid Sarah.