The Cherry Girl.
‘Girl with Cherries’ by William Orpen (circa 1905).
Oil on Canvas : 35.25 x 27.5 inches. Not signed.
A lady wearing Orpen’s dressing gown and holding cherries.
Provenance : The Artist (still in Artist’s studio at time of his death).
The Artist’s Estate (at Knoedler’s) (O.236).
Purchased from Orpen’s Estate by Senator R. D. Elliott, May 1935, along with two other works for a total of 100 Guineas (Australian).
Bequest presented to the City of Mildura, by Mrs Hilda Elliott in 1956. Now at Mildura Arts Centre, Australia.
Exhibited : This is possibly the same work as that exhibited as “Cherries”, No. 93, Art Loan Exhibition, Belfast, 1906. It was lent by the Lane Collection (Sir Hugh Lane).
Bristol, Royal West of England Academy, 87th Annual Exhibition, 1932, No. 120, as ‘A Girl with Cherries’, asking price £150.
National Gallery of Victoria, Orpen Memorial Exhibition, Jun 1936, No. 9, as ‘Woman with Cherries’, and date 1905.
Mildura Arts Centre, The Elliott Heritage Exhibition, 1970, No. 62.
Mildura Arts Centre, Orpen Centenary Exhibition, 1978, No. 26.
Mildura Arts Centre, The Elliott Collection, Jan 1998, No. 96.
Literature : Mildura Art Gallery, Souvenir Catalogue of Opening, 1956, page 24.
Mildura Arts Centre, Catalogue, Number One, 1966.
Mildura Arts Centre, The Elliott Heritage Exhibition Catalogue, 1970, No. 62.
Mildura Arts Centre, Orpen Centenary Exhibition, Catalogue 1978, No. 26.
Mildura Arts Centre, The Elliott Collection Catalogue, 1998, No. 96 (Illustration).
Some restoration work was carried out on the ‘Cherry Girl’, prior to being dispatched to Senator Elliott. The work required was such that Knoedler’s could not undertake it themselves and had to send it to their restorers. Elliott paid a ‘small charge’ for the work.
Post by Dominic Lee who may be contacted via twitter /Sir William Orpen or facebook /Sir William Orpen