Walter Langley, R.I.

Purchased from the artist by W. Victor Williams Esq., by whom given to W. A. Clark Esq. in 1916 and thence by descent to the present owner

R. Langley, Walter Langley, Pioneer of the Newlyn Art Colony, Bristol, 1997, p.168

The sheet appears sound. Slightly discoloured with some isolated spots of foxing; otherwise the work appears in good overall condition. FRAME Held in a simple gilt wood frame with a clean mount and under glass.
"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 in 1901, the present lot depicts the courtyard of a Newlyn cottage; a fisherman pauses from repairing sail cloth to smoke his pipe whilst a young woman reads a letter and two children draw water from a barrel behind. The same courtyard featured in a number of Langley's works including a large oil painting of 1898 A Cousin from Town (private collection) and a watercolour from 1901 Local Critics (private collection).

The young woman also appeared in a number of Langley's works and can be seen leant against the harbour railings in the artist's large oil of the same year, Between the Tides (Warrington Museum and Art Gallery, Cheshire). The blouse worn in both works was originally white and belonged to a Newlyn woman named Mrs Tregurtha who dyed it pink but gifted it to Langley after she decided it did not suit her complexion.