Full details of each lot are displayed, except the lot number, estimate and price. You must be a subscriber to view lot numbers, estimates and prices.
Lexden Lewis Pocock (1850-1919), new life, watercolour, signed…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
15-Aug-2021
Lot No.
***
Description:
Lexden Lewis Pocock (1850-1919), new life, watercolour, signed lower right, Lexden L. Pocock, 76 x 99 cm. Little is known Lexden Lewis Pocock (1850 - 1919), other than he was born and lived in London, that he studied at the Slade school of Art and the Royal Academy Schools, and also travelled, studied and taught Art in Rome. He was known to have exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Royal Society of British artists, and the Royal Institute. New life, a rare example of Victorian-era mourning Art, would have been commissioned by the grieving parents of the little blond boy/angel depicted in the painting. The mother and child, both in black, are depicted in a graveyard, uncharacteristically the mother relaxing on the grass while her Son chases a butterfly. The 1800s saw tragedy and death far too often. Disease and infection increased death rates, and it was tragically common for children to die before turning five. Obviously devastated, parents wanted to memorialize what little they could of their children, so they generally employed photographers to capture their child's image one last time before sending them to their graves. The children were dressed in their finest attire and were posed carefully to maintain the integrity of their forms. In some cases, an infant would be propped up with a post, or held by their mother who wore a black veil. Wealthier families would sometimes avail themselves of the services of an artist. This is the only example known by Pocock.
Estimate:
***
Price:
***
Category:
Unclassified