Lot 21
  • 21

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

Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
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Description

  • Sir John Lavery, R.A., R.S.A., R.H.A.
  • Portrait of Sir Edward Denison Ross
  • signed l.r.: J Lavery; signed, titled and dated 1922 on the reverse
  • oil on canvas, unframed
  • 91.5 by 70.5cm.; 36 by 27¾in.

Provenance

The Artist, and thence by descent to the present owner

Condition

Original canvas. The surface is very dirty and there are scuff marks to the edges, notably to the top edge where the canvas has worn through in areas. There are some minor dents to the surface in the upper right corner, stretcher bar marks along the upper and lower edge and across the centre and some scattered media spots and surface stains, otherwise in original condition. Under ultraviolet light, there appear to be no signs of retouching. Unframed.
"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."

Catalogue Note

Edward Dennison Ross (1871-1940) was one of the most distinguished Oriental scholars of his generation. He attended Marlborough College and University College, London before taking a doctorate in Persian at the University of Strasbourg in 1894. He returned to UCL as Professor of Persian in 1896. After five years in post, and still only 30, he was appointed Principal of Madrasah Muslim College in Calcutta where he not only assisted the Indian Department of Education, but became proficient in Sanskrit and Chinese. He returned to Britain in 1914 to take up a post at the British Museum, but was soon moved to Military Intelligence after the outbreak of war. In 1916 he was made Director of the newly-founded School of Oriental and African Studies, a post he held until three years before his death.

To be sold together with Sketch of James Maxton, M.P.
James Maxton (1885-1946) was Member of Parliament for the Bridgeton, Glasgow, constituency and leader of the Independent Labour Party. A former schoolteacher, he claimed that his socialism was the result of direct experience with the poverty of his pupils. His biography, by the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, the Prime Minister, was published in 1986. The definitive and finished version of his portrait is in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh where Maxton stands in front of the Clyde shipyards. A head study by Hazel Lavery, was painted at the same time.

Kenneth McConkey