Patrick William Adam, R.S.A.

The collection of the artist and thence by descent

The canvas has not been lined and undulates slightly in the corners. There is some surface dirt and the work may benefit from a light clean. Otherwise the work appears to be in good original condition. UV light inspection reveals no evidence of any retouching or restoration. Held in a gilt plaster frame.
"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."

Painted c.1920, the present picture depicts an interior at Ardilea, the artist’s elegant home in the Borders, near North Berwick. On the wall hangs Sir John Lavery’s portrait of Rose Beatrix Adam (1897-1965, known as ‘Bea’) painted in 1916 (sold in these rooms 9 May 2007, lot 54). Bea was the only daughter of Adam and his Irish Huguenot wife, Alice d’Olier. Lavery’s frequent visits to Scotland in the early years of the century included the Adam household, in which Rose Beatrix, six years younger than Lavery’s own daughter, Eileen, was growing up. Rose Beatrix Adam married Walter Stuart Wingate Gray of Nunraw, East Lothian, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Horse Artillery prior to the Great War in 1915.

Lavery and Adam both shared the patronage and friendship of Sir Patrick Ford whose home, Westerdunes was close to Ardilea and overlooked the golf course depicted in the Lavery painting included in this sale. The two artists were also both founding members of a highly influential artistic group based in Edinburgh called the Society of Eight which also included F.C.B. Cadell. Adam's sophisticated interiors were a great influence upon the work of Cadell as demonstrated by the examples in the present sale which share a similar appreciation for space and arrangement.