‘The Cream Tarts’ by William Orpen. One of six works by Orpen for sale at Christie’s London – 18th June 2019.

Provenance:

Kit Casey, the artist’s daughter, from whom purchased by the present owner.

Literature:

Exhibition catalogue, Edwardian Impressions, London, Pyms Gallery, 1981, n.p., no. 46, illustrated.

Exhibited:

London, Pyms Gallery, Edwardian Impressions, October – November 1981, no. 46.

Around 1900, two Slade School of Fine Art students, William Orpen and Augustus John, frequented the seedy public houses and restaurants around Piccadilly. In these hard-drinking sessions John appears as a thickly bearded rake and Orpen, his diminutive sidekick.
For Professor Kenneth McConkey’s full catalogue entry on this lot, please see www.christies.com