Size 28" x 36¼"
Format Oil on Canvas
Signature Yes (but where?)
Frame Not known
History of the painting
| Date | Auctioneer | Lot | Offer Price | Sale Price |
| 10 Jan 1978 | Sotheby's New York | 211 | Not known | £2,706 |
Other observations
This is a very similar painting to "The Crucial Moment 1895" painted
by Harry two years earlier. At first glance the outdoor scenes are the same,
but the coal bunker from the earlier painting has disappeared and the structure
of the back of the house is not the same. Either this is artistic license or
it was painted behind a different house.
This may be Edwin's chance to try to catch the bird, whereas it was Edgar in
the earlier painting. Charles (now 12) is probably the one lying down watching
and Elsie the little girl. Whether it is Ruth, or indeed her mother who is holding
Elsie's hand is far from clear. Perhaps this is painted much earlier in 1897
than "Teatime 1897" and "Making A Dolls House 1897", both
of which show Elsie as far more steady on her feet. Obviously big changes in
confidence can happen in 9 months at the tender age between 2 and 3.