Attributed to John Dawson Watson, R.W.S.

J. S. Maas & Co., London, where bought by Sir David Scott, 17 April 1964 for £90

STRUCTURE The panel has very slightly bowed but is otherwise in good stable condition. PAINT SURFACE There is a small chip along the lower left edge. Some scattered paint separation in places but the paint is in a stable condition. ULTRAVIOLET UV light reveals a patch of retouching to the girl's skirt, some infilling to craquelure on the boy's face and scattered spots elsewhere, under an uneven varnish. FRAME Held in a simple gold painted composite 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."

John Dawson Watson was a painter in oils and watercolour and devoted much of his talent to producing illustrations for books and periodicals. His intricate designs were published in Once a Week, Good Words and London Society, and of, most relevant to the present picture, he also contributed to The London Illustrated News. His oil paintings were usually small in scale and painted on panel almost always depicting children. Reading the Illustrated London News is typical of Watson's paintings, demonstrating his Pre-Raphaelite feeling for colour and detail.

The first issue of The Illustrated London News appeared in 1842 as the first pictorial newspaper ever published. It became one of the most famous and most commonly read newspapers of the Victorian era and beyond, and had a wide circulation. Reading the Illustrated London News reflects the appeal of the newspaper to children and the less educated, who were able to look at the pictures and discern the stories without being able to read the text. The boy in Dawson's painting is dressed for school and has his folios of work beside him. He is able to read the stories and has immersed himself in a particularly engrossing tale. He is not distracted by his sister, who is trying to tempt him away from the newspaper, so that they can play shuttlecock.