Lot 50: Thomas Frank Heaphy (1813-1873)

Probably Oliver Goldsmith discovering his mistake. 'Oliver Goldsmith, having mistaken a gentleman's house for an inn, discovers his error on offering gratuities to the family who had waited on him, next morning'
signed, dated and indisctinctly inscribed 'T.Heaphy. 1866./...' (lower left) and further signed 'T Heaphy 2' (on the reverse)
oil on canvas
37 x 49 in. (94 x 124.5 cm.)

Probably Royal Society of British Artists, 1870, no. 309.

The identification of this picture is supported by the inscription on the reverse: 'T. Heaphy 2'. Artists inscribed their pictures numerically when they were showing more than one at a particular venue. In the 1870 exhibition at the Royal Society of British Artists Heaphy exhibited two pictures of similar subject matter: The incident that suggested Oliver Goldsmith's 'She Stoops to Conquer' (no. 164) and the present picture, Oliver Goldsmith discovering his mistake (no. 309).

The scenes follow each other chronologically within a story derived from Vide Forster's Life of Oliver Goldsmith. He describes a visit the writer made to Ireland, wherein he mistook a gentleman's house for an inn and only discovered his error when attempting to settle his account. The embarrassment is implicitly enhanced by his inappropriate treatment of his host.

The story - though possibly apocryphal - is here seen as inspiration for a comparable situation in Goldsmith's 1773 play She Stoops to Conquer. His hero, Marlow, stays at the house of Mr Hardcastle, father of his intended bride Kate Hardcastle. He is accompanied by his friend, Mr Hastings, who intends to woo Mr Harcastle's niece Constance Neville. Many comic incidents occur, mostly documenting Mr Hardcastle's indignation that his proposed future son-in-law should be so rude. Kate, however, develops a fondness for Marlow and pretends to be a barmaid in order to dispel his native shyness. Her ruse works, and he proclaims a reciprocal affection. The final scenes see all misunderstandings resolved, as Marlow discovers that his beloved is actually his intended; and Mr Hardcastle's annoyance is allayed after he witnesses Marlow's repentance.

Heaphy shows Marlow being visited by Miss Hardcastle and Miss Neville, with Hastings at the door, presumably after their real identities have been revealed. The interval between the date of execution and the picture's exhibition could be explained by Heaphy's desire to pair it with The incident (unlocated).

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