Lot 131: Attributed to James Lobley , 1828-1888 the squire and the gamekeeper oil on canvas

oil on canvas

measurements note 76.5 by 63.5 cm.; 30 ¼ by 25 in.

John Hadfield, Every Picture Tells a Story: Images of Victorian Life, 1985, p. 113, illustrated p. 112;
Sotheby's, Pictures from the Collection of Sir David and Lady Scott, 2008, pp. 158-159.

Possibly Alfred Harris, Junior, of Lunefield near Kirby Lonsdale, Lancashire;
London, Christopher Wood;
London, J.S. Maas & Co, where bought by Lady Scott, 25 May 1972 for £800

'Although I have not been able to prove it, I have no doubt that this picture is by James Lobley and is the one exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1873, under the title "The Demurrer". It depicts the scholarly landlord, uninterested in sporting affairs, sitting in his study, the blinds drawn on a fine day and the wages of his gamekeeper comes in the letter pile on the table beside him. He looks up as the gamekeeper comes in. "See here, maister it aint good enough. I have to live on turnips, How'd you like to live on turnips?" He cuts off a slice, takes a bite out of it and offers the rest to his landlord. We can imagine what the reply will be [...] It is admirably painted. I particularly like the 'negligé' attire of the landlord, obviously a bachelor, and the contrasting clothes of the gamekeeper.' Sir David Scott Christopher Wood described this painting in his book Victorian Panorama: 'The gamekeeper is remonstrating with the bookish Squire, who is more interested in his books than the rent which lies on the table, and complaining that he and his family have to live on turnips.' (Christopher Wood, Victorian Panorama, 1976, p.156 ) When the painting was exhibited in Bradford (Lobley's home town) in 1983, it was suggested that it may be the picture entitled The Demurrer, which Lobley sent to the Royal Academy in 1873 and was subsequently owned by the wealthy art collector, Alfred Harris. The interior setting is unusual for Lobley and it is possible that it was painted at the home of Harris in Kirby Lonsdale. (The background of another genre painting by Lobley, entitled Ancient and Modern, was certainly painted at the home of one of Lobley's patrons.) Harris and Lobley were friends for many years and Lobley taught several members of Harris' family to paint. In return Harris wrote an affectionate obituary for Lobley in the Bradford Observer. The picture depicts, and sympathises with, the hardship of the farm labourer, against an uncaring and miserly land-owner. It is thought that the artist intended to make a reference to Ruskin's Fors Clavigera, in which he wrote: '... nearly every problem of state policy and economy consists in some device for persuading you labourers to go and dig up dinner for us reflective and aesthetic persons who like to sit still and admire.'