George Grant

Acquired by the grandmother of the present owner in Ballarat; thence by descent to the present owner
Private collection, Victoria

This work is framed in a distressed gold painted timber frame. The work is mounted onto a gold cardboard mat with the title in pencil beneath the image. The work is under glass and appears to be in good sound original condition.
"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."

This is one of two known versions of the subject made in the 1890s by Ballarat-born artists Georgie Grant.¹  Painted over prints of a photograph of unknown date and authorship, the works show the dwelling and 'lemonade, cordial, ginger and soda water factory' of one of the earliest settlers in the district, James McKain Meek, who 'claimed in later life to have built the first permanent dwelling in the township.'²  The house was sited on the west side of what is now Lydiard street, near the corner of Mair street.

1.  The other, in the collection of the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, is reproduced in Petter Butters, 'James Meek and Ballarat's first house,' The Central Highlands Historical Journal, no. 1, Summer 1993, p. 4 and in Gordon Morrison, Ballarat in Pictures, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Ballarat, 2006, pp. 13, 45

2.  Morrison, op. cit., p. 45