Motley (Margaret Harris, Sophie Harris and Elizabeth Montgomery Wilmot)

Probably Leicester Galleries, London, where acquired by Vivien Leigh, 16th April 1947

Notley Abbey Inventory, April 1948, p. 27, Principal Landing and Corridors and Staircase to Hall, 'A Water Colour drawing, Lady in Plum colour Skirt, signed Motley, and two others, same artist' (The Vivien Leigh Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum, THM/433/6/1).

Unexamined out of frame. There appears to be one pinhole in the upper right corner, above the inscription. There is an old repaired tear to the sheet in the lower right quadrant over the signature. There are a number of scuffs in the gouache, and some very small losses in places, particularly in the figure's proper right shoulder. There is also an area of unevenness in the lower part of the figure's skirt. There are two tiny creases to the sheet along the right margin. There is some staining to the sheet with some uneven areas at the left vertical edge. There are one or two very tiny spots of foxing only visible upon close inspection. There is some traces of extremely light surface dirt in places. Subject to the above the work is in overall good condition. The work is window mounted and held in a simple wooden frame behind glass. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."

Motley was a theatre design firm made up of three English designers, sisters Margaret Harris (1904–2000) and Sophie Harris (1900–1966), and Elizabeth Montgomery Wilmot (1902–1993). They achieved great success in designing for both stage and screen, and worked on many of John Gielgud's productions during the 1930s, including his 1935 production of Romeo and Juliet starring Laurence Olivier, who played first Romeo and then Mercutio (exchanging parts with Gielgud) at the New Theatre, London. These three works are costume designs by Motley for Vivien’s part as Jennifer Dubedat in the 1942 production of George Bernard Shaw’s The Doctor’s Dilemma, held at the Haymarket Theatre.