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Mortimer Luddington Menpes (Australia/England, 1855-1938) oil on board painting, “A Group of Eastern Women,” c. 1887-1908. A group of 15 women and girls, many of whom wear Kashmiri kasaba headdresses, gather around a stairway. One woman holds a small child and a window at upper right reveals the night sky. Warm, yellow light enters from behind the viewer and illuminates the scene. With auction catalog clipping with title, artist information, and lot number (157) affixed to verso and inscribed “p/[5 or S?] Christies / 22/6/31.” Also with Dowdeswell & Dowdeswells Gallery, London, and Charles Roberson & Co., London, labels plus stencilled letters and numbering to verso. Housed in a giltwood frame. Board: 14 1/4 in. H 10 9/16 in. W. Framed: 18 1/4 in. H x 14 1/2 in. W. Note: Dowdeswell & Dowdeswells moved to 160 New Bond Street, London, in 1887 and Charles Roberson & Co. adopted the Charles Roberson & Co Ltd. name in 1908. As such, the present work likely dates from c. 1887 -1908. Biographical Note: “Menpes was an Adelaide-born artist who moved to London in 1875 and forged a successful career as an artist in Britain, living there for the rest of his life. During the 1880s and 1890s he travelled to Japan, India, Burma, Morocco, Cairo, Mexico and Venice, holding exhibitions upon his return to London. During this period he also built and decorated a famous Japanese-style house in Cadogan Garden which became a hub for artistic soirees, and to which British society flocked to sit for their portraits.” (Source: Art Gallery of South Australia)
PROVENANCE:
A Florida estate; Dowdeswell & Dowdeswells, London
CONDITION:
With fine craquelure throughout plus areas of retouching or inpainting, primarily to walls. Largest area to column or pier to left of woman holding child, 3 inch x 3/4 inch, and to area below chin of seated woman at lower left, 3/4 inch x 1/2 inch. See UV photography. Frame with minor scuffs and gilt loss.
