Lot 9: MINNIE ROSA BEBB ARWA (British 1857 - 1938) Floral

MINNIE ROSA BEBB ARWA (British 1857 - 1938) Floral Still Life Watercolour, signed and dated 'Rosa Bebb 1900' 25cm x 33cm (9 13/16 x 13in). Note : Minnie Rosa Bebb was born in 1857, daughter of the artist James Bebb. She became popular for her meticulously painted works sentimentally portraying the Victorian ideal of the domesticated animal or pet (particularly cats and small dogs). Queen Victoria bought several of her works for her private rooms both at Osborne House and Balmoral and her popularity spread to the United States. Bebb also had a good commercial sense and was a pioneer in the production of early novelty Art cards or postcards, again usually her favourite cats. As with her paintings, these cards are today much sought after. She worked solidly throughout her life and continued to exhibit until her death in London in 1938 at the age of 80.