Walter Frederick Osborne, R.H.A

to be sold with a preparatory pencil sketch

Collection of John Jameson;
Collection of Lord Killanin, Co. Galway;
De Veres, Dublin, 16 November 1999, lot 53, where purchased by the present owner

Dublin, R.H.A., Memorial Exhibition, 1903-04, no.225 (lent by John Jameson);
Dublin, The National Gallery of Ireland, Walter Osborne, 16 November-31 December 1983, with tour to The Ulster Museum, Belfast, 20 January-29 February 1984, no.68

Jeanne Sheehy, Walter Osborne, Gifford and Craven, Ballycotton, Co. Cork, 1974, no.488;
Jeanne Sheehy, Walter Osborne, exhibition catalogue, National Gallery of Ireland, 1983, no.68, p.125, illustrated

The board appears to be in good stable condition. There are artist's pinholes to all four corners and to the centre of the left hand edge. The work appears to be in good condition. UV light inspection reveals no evidence of any retouching or restoration. Held in a wooden gilt frame and under glass. Please note that this work has been examined out of its frame. Preparatory sketch: The sheet appears to be sound. A minor tear near the centre left edge. The sheet is slightly discoloured. Framed under glass and not examined out of its 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."

During the 1890s, Osborne produced a series of works based on cattle and the theme of milking time. Osborne would take a cottage during the summer in the north of Co. Dublin where he had a number of friends including the Jamesons at St. Marnock's. Sheehy refers to two works painted for the Jameson family, Milking Time in St. Marnock's Byre (Bonhams, London, 23 January 2013, lot 93) and Cattle, St. Marnock's. The present work appears to be a study for the former and was most likely gifted to the Jamesons along with the finished work. Another pencil study of a similar composition was sold as part of the Roth Collection (Christie's London, 14 May 2004 lot 35).

The existence of such studies indicates how Osborne still prepared his paintings with a great deal of care and accuracy. His later work however, displays a confidence and directness absent from earlier paintings. Indeed, the present study shows a freedom and vigour indicative of an artist comfortable with their abilities and sure of technique and medium.