SIR LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA, O.M., R.A. AND STUDIO | Reclining Woman

J.A. Cooling Gallery, London;

Ruby Sophia Rich Shalit (1888-1988) and thence by descent until 2018;

Christie's, London, 11 July 2018, lot 91, where purchased by Stan Battat

The present picture probably depicts the artist’s wife Laura, in a languid and intimate pose which is suggestive of tenderness and closeness with a book resting against her breast as though she has been interrupted from her reading - this is reminiscent of a similar picture of Laura, reading the Graphic, titled Interrupted (London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham). It has been suggested that this picture may have been unfinished by Alma-Tadema and taken-up by another artist, perhaps his daughter Anna.