Edwin Harris

Given by the artist to Arthur Harrison, the sitter's father and thence by descent to the present owner

STRUCTURE Original canvas. It is slightly loose on its stretcher and slightly undulates. There are some minor frame abrasions along the left and right edges. There are some thin lines of craquelure running horizontally across the centre of the girl, with one resultant very small spot of paint loss. There is also an old area of craquelure below left of the girl's left hand and a further line of craquelure left of the bottom of her dress. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT Under UV there appear to be no signs of retouching. FRAME Held under glass in gilt plaster frame; unexamined out of frame. Please contact 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.
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."

Beatrice Harrison was the daughter of Arthur Harrison, an artist and architect who lived at Moseley in Birmingham. This portrait was the result of a challenge to Harris, Walter Langley and Harrison to paint a picture predominantly white in colour, perhaps inspired by Whistler's symphonies. Beatrice had been standing in a doorway dressed in a white gown when the three friends, all members of the Birmingham Society of Artists, saw her and were inspired to compete with one another. This painting was unanimously voted as the best.