Arthur Hughes

Purchased from the artist by John Hamilton Trist in 1871; his sale, Christie's, 9 April 1892, lot 69, bought 'Chiltick';
H.J. Mack, his sale 13 January 1965, lot 182 bought by Leger Galleries, London;
P.C. Withers by March 1967;
Hartnoll & Eyre, London;
Christie's, 20 November 1970, lot 233;
Christie's, 23 July 1971, lot 351, bought by Arthur Grogan;
Sotheby's, 15 March 1983, lot 50 bought by Leonard Roberts by whom sold to Alan B. Gateley in August 1993 and thence by descent

Royal Academy, 1872, no. 303

Athenaeum, 4 May 1872, p.564;
Athenaeum, 25 May 1872, p.659;
The Times, 5 June 1872, p.6;
Leonard Roberts, Arthur Hughes, His Life and Works, 1997, cat. no. 106, illustrated p.94, colour pl.65

STRUCTURE The canvas has been relined. The surface is in generally good, stable condition. There are two tiny abrasions near the centre of the upper edge. The surface is slightly dirty and the varnish has discoloured slightly. The work may benefit from a light clean. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT UV light reveals a few flecks of retouching to the figure, and to areas in the lower right quadrant. The surface has been covered with an opaque, uneven varnish which makes the reading difficult to interpret. FRAME Held in a 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 landscape for the present work was painted in the late 1860s and in 1872 Hughes reworked the foreground with the addition of the milkmaid and the calf, probably at the request of its first owner John Hamilton Trist. It was at this time that it was given the title, based upon a poem written in Dorset dialect by William Barnes:

'O Poll's the milk-maid o' the farm!
An' Poll's so happy out in groun'
Wi' her white pail below her earm
As is she wore a goolden crown.
In zummer mornens when the lark
Do rouse the little lad an' lass
To work, then she's the vu'st to mark
Her steps along the dewy grass'.