George Lambert

Sir Ralph Newman of Mamhead Park, Devon, by c.1940;
by descent to the present owner

E. Einberg, "Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of George Lambert," The Walpole Society, Vol. LXIII, 2001, p.143, cat. no. P1740C, fig. 54

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals scattered retouching overall and strengthening in the sky, particularly in two areas, to the upper left of centre and to the upper right. FRAME Held in a British Regency carved and gilded frame. For further information on this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com.
"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.
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Many of the topographical elements of this painting recall those of Bridgenorth on the Severn in Shropshire, with its castellated church tower atop a sheer sandstone cliff and honeycomb network of caves, in which troglodytes are known to have lived until the nineteenth century. [I]

First recorded in the collection of Sir Ralph Newman, 5^th Bt. of Mamhead Park in Devon, little is known of the painting's early existence. Built between 1827 and 1833, to designs by Anthony Salvin, the present house at Mamhead was the creation of Sir Robert William Newman (1776-1848), and it is possible that the painting descended through the generations with the house. The 5^th Baronet, Sir Ralph, an avid gardener and President of the Fuchsia Society from 1952, is also known to have acquired paintings himself however and the picture's provenance cannot be traced further than 1945.

The present work is one of three known landscapes by Lambert dated 1740, the other two being a huge view of Fonthill Redivivus, in Wiltshire (Government Art Collection) and Landscape with Storm (sold Christie's London, 3rd July 1953, lot 154).

[i] see E. Einberg, op.lit, 2001, pp.143-144