Edmund Henry Osthaus

Douglas B. & Margaret Cullen Marshall (acquired by 1956, possibly gifted from Margaret Cullen Marshall's parents, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cullen, River Oaks, Texas)
Thence by descent

Unlined. Minor frame abrasion a top edge. Dots of surface accretions at upper right corner. Under UV: Strokes of inpainting at lower left and a spot in the black of the right-most dog's coat.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present and following two works as well as Jean-Georges Vibert’s The Three Patiences (see lot 54) belonged to Douglas B. and Margaret Cullen Marshall, who at their Gleannloch Farms (first in Spring, Texas and then at Las Palmas, Barksdale, Texas) created one of the most important Egyptian Arabian breeding programs of the twentieth century. While the Vibert was probably a purchase the couple made together for Gleannloch, the Osthaus and Emms were most likely given to the couple from the collection of Margaret’s parents, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cullen. After a successful career in the cotton business, Cullen, known for his tireless and honest work ethic, became a powerful figure in Texas’ oil boom of the 1920s and 30s; he made significant innovations in deep-well drilling and his Quintana Petroleum Corporation (named after his five children, Margaret being the second youngest) helped make Houston the epicenter of the oil industry. Together, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cullen were generous supporters of many of Houston’s civic institutions, founding the University of Houston and endowing five hospitals in the city which would become the backbone of the Texas Medical Center, among others;  in 1948 they created the Cullen Foundation, at the time one of the largest private endowments in American history. Since then, the Cullen Foundation has continuously supported education, health care and the arts in Texas.