Lot 120: Caroline Sharpe, née Paterson (1856-1911)

The scrapbook
signed 'Caroline Paterson' (lower right)
pencil and watercolour with scratching out
10 x 15 1/8 in. (25.5 x 38.5 cm.)

with Agnew's, Manchester.
with St. Peter's Fine Art Gallery, Chester, 1993, where purchased by the present owner.

Although Caroline Paterson never achieved as much recognition as her older sister Helen Allingham (1848-1926) she did, nevertheless, gain considerable recognition in her own right during her short career.
After moving to Hampstead with her mother, Caroline Paterson earned a living by giving private art lessons and teaching at a local school. Additional income was generated by painting portraits, usually of children.

By the 1880s Caroline Paterson was exhibiting her fine watercolours in London and Manchester galleries; as well as illustrating children's books and producing designs for greetings card firms. Her painting technique and subject matter were very similar to Allingham's, but her oeuvre less prolific.

Her art career came to an abrupt end upon her marriage to Sutton Sharpe, a Commercial Clerk and widower. She no longer needed to support herself and immersed herself into family life at the relatively late age of thirty-six. The few paintings that were executed under her married name, Caroline Sharpe, were painted for pleasure rather than necessity.

We are grateful to Annabel Watts for her help in preparing this catalogue entry.

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.