A Story of Wealth and Privilege

ONCE in a while, as an art dealer, a painting comes into your possession that you feel a real privilege to have in your possession, albeit fleetingly. I have such a painting in my gallery at the moment… a few weeks ago I bought a lovely little still life of some flowers in a vase.

I did some research of the artist’s values before I went to auction and bought this particular painting at a fair price. Feeling pleased with my purchases, after getting them back to my shop I did what I always do and researched my purchases thoroughly.

The more I looked into the background of this picture the more I began to really appreciate its history.

The artist is Lady Caroline Blanche Elizabeth Lindsay born in 1844, died 1912.

She was the granddaughter of Mayer Rothschild, the daughter of The Hon Henry Fitzroy and the wife of Sir Coutts Lindsay, a more privileged background you would struggle to find. She was a very talented and spirited lady who not only excelled at painting, indeed she was better known as a poet and novelist, but she was also an accomplished musician.

Clearly not a lady to rest on her laurels, she and her husband put a lot of money into setting up The Grosvenor Gallery in London which became the centre for The Aesthetic Movement in the 1880s.

The movement championed art and literature that emphasised beauty and it is thought the phrase “Art for Art’s Sake” came from this movement.

Many names we still love today were leading lights within this circle e.g. Oscar Wilde, Robert Byron, James McNeill Whistler, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Evelyn Waugh, Nancy Mitford, Christopher Dresser, etc.

This gorgeous little oil painting along with many others is available to view and purchase at AntiqArt, the “pre-loved art” gallery at Holme Grange Craft Village.

AntiqArt is at is a Unit 10B Holme Grange Craft Village and Shops, Heathlands Road, Wokingham RG40 3AW. Call 0118 327 5421 or visit www. antiqart.co.uk