Spencer Frederick Gore, 1878-1914

Probably painted circa 1908-9, it is likely that this work shows a view in Hertingfordbury, Herfordshire. Home to his mother, Gore spent the summers of 1908 and 1909 at her house and painted a number of views in the village.
Elsie Swinton, the original owner of this work as well as lot 53, was a figure of some repute on the Edwardian social scene. Having married into one of the oldest landed families in England, she took the unusual step of becoming a professional singer. She received great acclaim amongst the leading musicians of the day and was also admired by a number of notable painters. Sargent painted a magnificent full-length portrait  of the young Mrs George Swinton (coll. Art Institute of Chicago) in 1897, while Sickert, who became an especially close friend, painted at least three pictures of her between 1905-6 and used her as a model for several others. Sir William Orpen and Charles Conder also painted this much-admired beauty while Spencer Gore visited her home in Pont Street twice-weekly to give her daughter drawing lessons (See David Greer, A Numerous and Fashionable Audience - the story of Elsie Swinton, Thames Publishing, London, 1997).