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CHESHIRE ANTIQUES CONSULTANT LTD
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John Maler Collier Victorian Lady Knitting Portrait, Possibly Lady Laing (1831–1913), c.1893–1900
An evocative late Victorian society portrait distinguished by its rich green upholstery, domestic subject and period Richard Turley frame.
Highlights
• Attributed to John Maler Collier
• Circa 1893–1900
• Signed in red
• Oil on canvas
• Large-scale portrait
• Mature lady engaged in knitting
• Green upholstered armchair
• Period giltwood and composition frame
• Richard Turley trade label
• 103 × 81.5 cm approximately
• Mellors & Kirk, Lot 718, 14 January 2021
• Possible Lady Laing identification
Introduction
A sophisticated late Victorian portrait in which formal society portraiture is softened by a quiet domestic activity.
The sitter occupies a richly upholstered green chair and appears absorbed in her knitting. Her dark costume and delicate pale collar contrast beautifully with the green upholstery, while the relatively restrained setting allows her character to dominate the composition.
The work has particular research interest because Collier's documented 1893 portrait of Lady Laing also depicts its mature female sitter engaged in needlework.
Catalogue Details
Artist: Attributed to John Maler Collier (1850–1934)
Date: Circa 1893–1900
Medium: Oil on canvas
Signature: “John Collier” in red, lower left
Dimensions: Approximately 103 × 81.5 cm / 40.6 × 32.1 inches
Frame: Period Richard Turley giltwood and composition frame
Sitter: Unidentified; possibly Lady Laing
Catalogue Note
The exact painting was catalogued by Mellors & Kirk in January 2021 as a work by The Hon. John Collier.
The auction description recorded the red signature, unlined canvas and original Richard Turley frame.
The Richard Turley connection is of particular significance. National Portrait Gallery research records Turley at 21 Crogsland Road and documents Collier describing him as “my framemaker” in 1898.
The present designation remains cautiously **Attributed to John Maler Collier** pending further research.
Composition & Technique
Collier concentrates the composition upon the sitter, her face and her hands.
The green upholstery establishes a dominant decorative field while the dark costume creates a pronounced tonal contrast.
Fine details of lace, jewellery and knitting help establish the sitter’s individuality.
Historical Context
Victorian society portraits often used domestic activity as a means of suggesting character and private accomplishment.
The fact that Collier's documented 1893 Lady Laing portrait also uses needlework makes the present painting especially interesting as a possible example of the same aspect of his portrait practice.
The Sitter – Possibly Lady Laing
The sitter remains formally unidentified.
Theresa Talbot Laing, Lady Laing (1831–1913), has emerged as an important possibility.
Collier's 1893 portrait of Lady Laing similarly depicts her engaged in needlework.
The present painting is different in composition and no second portrait of Lady Laing corresponding to it has yet been documented.
The identification therefore remains unconfirmed.
About Lady Laing
Lady Laing was the wife of Sunderland shipbuilder Sir James Laing.
Collier painted both husband and wife in 1893, creating a related pair of society portraits.
The Artist
John Maler Collier was a leading British portrait painter whose career extended across the late Victorian and Edwardian periods.
He was trained at the Slade and in Munich and Paris and became known for naturalistic portraits of leading British figures.
The Richard Turley Frame
The period gilt frame retains the trade label of Richard Turley of 21 Crogsland Road, Kentish Town.
Turley was directly associated with Collier's portrait practice and was described by the artist in 1898 as “my framemaker”.
Signed
Signed “John Collier” in red.
Provenance
Mellors & Kirk Fine Art & Antiques, Nottingham, 14 January 2021, Lot 718.
Acquired directly from the above sale by the present owner in 2021.
Earlier provenance presently unspecified.
Why You'll Love It
Strong period interior presence.
Elegant Victorian society portrait.
Unusual knitting subject.
Beautiful green upholstery.
Richard Turley period frame.
Documented 2021 auction provenance.
Fascinating possible connection to Lady Laing.
Dimensions
Approximately 103 × 81.5 cm / 40.6 × 32.1 inches.
Frame depth approximately 10 cm / 3.9 inches.
Condition Report
Antique condition commensurate with age.
Unlined canvas appearance with craquelure and surface ageing.
Small lower tear or puncture with verso repair.
Period frame exhibiting rubbing, cracking, chips and local losses.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
Owing to the substantial dimensions and weight of the framed portrait, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.
International buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.
Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution
The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.
Attribution and Research
The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.
These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®
Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.
Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.
Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.
- Period: Victorian
-
- Price: £20,000.00
- €23,276 Euro
- $27,072 US Dollar
- Location: London
-
- Dimensions: H: 103cm (40.55in)
- W: 81.5cm (32.09in)
- D: 10cm (3.94in)
