Sophie Anderson

Acquired circa 1990

Lined. Some stable finely patterned craquelure in the sky in the upper left and in the boy's costume. Some of the original pigments have blanched, most notably in the sky, water, and upper right corner. Under UV: Heavy varnish fluoresces green. Fine lines of inpainting to the boy's costume, including a 2 by 1/2 inch area in his shoulder. A thin line of inpainting in center of the girl to address a stretcher bar mark. Larger areas of inpainting to the wall, the landscapes surrounding the figures, and in the upper left sky. Areas of inpainting along lower left and right edges to address frame abrasion.
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.

In 1871, Sophie Anderson and her husband moved from London to Capri, which at the time was a thriving artist colony that welcomed the likes of John Singer Sargent and Frederic Leighton, among others.  For almost twenty years, the couple lived in the Villa Castello, a secluded cliff-side property where they entertained an international coterie of high-society friends with lavish parties. One of the most successful female artists of her generation, Anderson began exhibiting her paintings at the Royal Academy in 1855, and she continued to, even while living abroad.  Although it is not certain if the present work was exhibited, two old labels on the painting’s reverse link it to Anderson’s Royal Academy submissions Let me write the ballads of a country, etc (1874, no. 646) and Julia Banished, Capri (1888, no. 117). Contemporary description confirms it is not the latter, but this tender portrayal of two Italian children is emblematic of Anderson’s body of work at this time.