George Frederic Watts, O.M., R.A.

Lady Mount Temple, Broadlands, Hampshire;
The Cowper Collection, Panshanger, sold by the executors of Lady Desborough's Estate, Christie's London, 16 October 1953, lot 147

London, Dudley Gallery, 1872, no.70

Mary Watts, 'Manuscript Catalogue of the Works of G.F. Watts',  p.66 (where given the title 'Greek Maidens Watching the Return of Theseus')

The following condition report has been prepared by Hamish Dewar Ltd, 14 Masons Yard, Duke Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6BU. EXAMINATION / TREATMENT REPORT UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE Structural Condition The canvas has an old lining and this is ensuring an even and secure structural support. Paint surface The paint surface has a discoloured varnish layer and the painting would undoubtedly be transformed by cleaning. Inspection under ultraviolet light shows a number of scattered retouchings, the majority of which are just small lines and spots of inpainting. Many of these retouchings appear excessive and I would be confident that should they be removed would found to be at least partially unnecessary and I would not expect to find any significant losses. The largest of the retouchings that are visible under ultraviolet light are: 1) an area in the upper left of the sky which measures approximately 2 x 2.5 cm with surrounding small spots, 2) a thin line around the jaw of the central maiden and spots on her forehead and beneath her chin, 3) retouchings on the same girl's left leg and knee, and on the back of the maiden in the lower right of the composition. There are other small scattered retouchings. Summary The painting is therefore in good and stable condition and should respond very well to cleaning and revarnishing. I would be confident that after the present retouchings have been removed only minimal retouching would be required. Please telephone the department on 0207 293 5718 if you have any questions about 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.
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This monumental but little known mythological subject by Watts would appear to date from the 1860s, but was not apparently exhibited in the artist's lifetime. It shows the people of Athens crowding to the shore to look out to sea in expectation of the return of Theseus from Crete. Theseus, the son of the legendary king of Athens, Aegeus, had gone to Crete as one of the annual tribute of seven male youths and seven maidens to be sacrificed to the minotaur, which King Minos levied on Athens as punishment for the killing of his son Androgeus. Theseus killed the minotaur and escaped the labyrinth, with the assistance of Minos' daughter Ariadne. Returning eventually to Athens, he omitted to raise a white sail as he had agreed to do so as to send forward news of the success of his mission. His father the king, desolate in the assumption that Theseus was dead, threw himself from the Acropolis.

 

A festival which took place each autumn in ancient Athens – the Oschophoria – commemorated Theseus' expedition and his return. On this occasion, toasts were made with strange shouts in which happiness and grief were mixed, in memory of the safe return of Theseus but also of the tragic death of his father. CSN

 

We are very grateful to Mark Bills of the Watts Gallery, Compton for his assistance with the catalogue entry.