Arthur John Elsley

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Description

Arthur John Elsley
Pick-a-back
signed ARTHUR J ELSLEY and dated 1901 (lower left)
oil on canvas
36 1/4 by 27 1/4 in.
92 by 69.2 cm

Provenance

Private Collection, Massachusetts

Literature

Terry Parker, Golden Hours, The Paintings of Arthur J. Elsley 1860-1952, Somerset, 1998, p. 47, illustrated

Catalogue Note

Elsley nostalgically offers a glimpse into the world of a happy but simple rural childhood. The group of children are playing a game of piggyback, possibly trying to amuse their youngest sister, who delights in the sport. According to Elsley scholar Terry Parker, in 1901 Elsley made oil sketches of the River Lea at Broxbourne. He probably sketched the background of this work in the area of Hertfordshire, which the artist accessed by a short train ride from the North of London. The model for the eldest girl appears to be 'Queenie,' a favorite model of the artist's.

This image appeared in prints after the original by Thomas Ross & Co.