Stanhope Alexander Forbes, R.A.

The canvas has been lined. There are some areas of craquelure. Otherwise the work appears to be in good condition and clean and ready to hang. UV light inspection reveals an area of retouching to an old vertical tear in the lower right of the work, there is some further areas of retouching directly above the right hand figure. There are some minor touches of infilling to areas of craquelure and some minor spots of retouching to the lower framing edge. This retouching has been done sympathetically and to a high standard. Held in a wooden gilt 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."

The present picture relates to Their Ever-Shifting Home also painted in 1887 (Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney). In the foreground of that painting, a woman with a baby in her arms is walking along the track followed by a horse-drawn caravan, a donkey and the man and his dog depicted in the present work. The buildings on the left are identical in both works but in the present picture, Forbes added two children who add a note of sympathy for the itinerant traveller and his dog who have no possessions other than the nap-sack over his shoulder. The setting for both pictures was in St Ives and described by Mrs Birch; 'a bit of hill road where old roofs against the sky line, and gnarled leafless sycamores, made a charming and somewhat melancholy background. The old road has long since been tidied up out of recognition into park-like propriety.' (Mrs Lionel Birch, Stanhope A. Forbes, A.R.A., and Elizabeth Stanhope Forbes, A.R.W.S., MCMVI, p.36)