Francesco Simonini

Dame Henrietta Barnett, DBE (1851-1936), 1 South Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb, 1931.

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The original canvas is lined and the paint is stable. There is a conserved and restored loss to the upper left in the sky and to the central prancing horse. There has been significant reduction of extensive minor loss to the sky and the foreground and to canvas texture which is dominant throughout. The varnish is not discoloured. Offered in a black painted and gilt wood frame with some damages."
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Dame Henrietta Barnett (1851-1936) was a notable social reformer. She and her husband Samuel Augustus Barnett moved to the impoverished Whitechapel parish of St. Jude's in 1873 intent on improving social conditions, and founded the first 'University Settlement' at Toynbee Hall in the East End of London in 1884. Her interest in the arts displayed itself in her involvement in establishing annual loan exhibitions at the Whitechapel Art Gallery, the current building being built in 1897 at the behest of the Barnetts. It was Henrietta Barnett who conceived the idea of the model housing development of Hampstead Garden Suburb in 1904, when it was intended to provide affordable housing.

For Simonini's fame and career as a battle painter please see the note to lot 292 in this catalogue.