Lot 112: Emily Stannard (1803-1885)

Still life of chrysanthemums, narcissi, honeysuckle, sweetpeas, and convulvulus in a glass vase, with a butterfly and a ladybird, on a marble ledge
signed with initials and dated 'E.S.1845' (lower left)
oil on oak panel
11 3/4 x 9 1/2 in. (29.8 x 24.2 cm.)

FROM THE ESTATE OF CLEM GIBSON
Lots 112-126

Clem Gibson was born in Buenos Aires in 1936, and came to England at the end of the hostilities, where he had a brilliant academic and athletic career following in the footsteps of his father as captain of the Eton cricket eleven.

After military service in the 12th Lancers, he attended Clare College, Cambridge, and the Université de Provence before being invited back to teach at Eton by the headmaster, Robert Birley. After a few years of teaching, he returned to Cambridge with a view to taking the Holy Orders. He was eventually to decide that he had lost his vocation. He went back to teaching in the rougher end of the comprehensive system and while an amateur farmer headed a school for dyslexic boys. He was never ordained.

His passion for Norfolk School painting coincided with his marriage to Barbara in 1966, and was strengthened by his friendship with Miklos Rajnai, Norwich School expert and curator at the Norwich Castle Museum, who advised him on his purchases. He formed his collection by buying through or from Agnew's. His passion for the Norwich School of painters lasted until his death in September 2004.

Five watercolours from the collection will be included in the British Art on Paper sale on 5 June at King Street.

Emily Stannard, née Coppin, studied painting under her father, Daniel Coppin (c.1770-1822), a local Norwich School patron and amateur artist. She specialised in flower painting, visiting the Netherlands in 1820, where she was considerably inspired by Dutch still-lives, notably the work of Jan van Huysum. She was awarded three gold medals by the Society of Arts, London: one in 1820 for an original painting of flowers; one in 1821 for an original painting of fruit; and a third in 1828 for an original painting of game. By this point Emily had married the Norwich School artist Joseph Stannard (1797-1830) in 1826, but following his premature death she maintained her living as a teacher.

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.