Benjamin Williams Leader, R.A.

Sold by the artist in July 1898 to John Edward Yates for £100;
Henry Angus Morton;
Christie's, 13 March 1928, lot 12;
Arthur Tooth & Son, London, £130; 
Edward W. Tilling, Kent, 1928 and thence by descent

Leader's Records of Paintings Sold, July 1898;

Frank Lewis, Benjamin Williams Leader RA, 1831-1923, 1971, p. 47, cat. nos. 434 and 436, illustrated fig.70;
Ruth Wood, Benjamin Williams Leader RA, 1831-1923: His Life and Paintings, 1998, pp. 47-48, 127

STRUCTURE The canvas has been relined. There are a few isolated minor areas of craquelure, including to the trees and water. Otherwise the surface is in generally good condition, clean and ready to hang. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT UV reveals a few isolated flecked retouchings to one or two places along the edges. There is some infilling to craquelure to a few places in the trees and to an area in the foreground lower left. FRAME Held in an ornate gilt plaster frame. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 5718 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."

The title of the present picture was originally Cleve Lock; Evening, as recorded by the artist when it was sold to the largest cotton spinner in Rochdale, John Edward Yates in July 1898: the same year the artist was elected a Royal Academician. Over the century, with changes of ownership, the work has acquired different titles.

    

Cleve (Cleeve) Lock is on the Thames, in Berkshire, where the villages of Streatley and Goring face each other across the river.  It was first built in 1787 of oak timbers and was rebuilt in stone in 1874. This area was a favourite haunt for Leader throughout his career.