Lot 95: Joseph Clark, ROI (British, 1834-1926) Three little kittens

Joseph Clark, ROI (British, 1834-1926)
Three little kittens signed and dated 'J Clark. 1883' (lower right)oil on canvas73 x 87cm (28 3/4 x 34 1/4in).
ProvenanceAnon. sale, Henry Spencer, Retford, 11 March 1987, lot 266.Anon. sale, Christie's, London, 20 October 1998, lot 142.Private collection, UK (acquired from the above sale). ExhibitedLondon, Royal Academy, 1883, no. 413.The present lot depicts three young girls in ragged clothing sitting on the ground, sheltering under an umbrella, each holding a kitten. Standing before them is a man, the tip of his shoe and his umbrella just visible to the left.An engraving of the work was illustrated in The Graphic magazine, volume XXX, no. 783 on 29 November 1884. Further evidence of the popularity of the work at the time was the inclusion of it, in the background of one of Charles Spencelayh's paintings Nothing like leather! (fig 1).Joseph Clark exhibited works at the Royal Academy from 1857-1904. He received a medal and award at Philadelphia in 1876 with his two works Sick Child and The Bird's Nest. His best known works were often of domestic interiors, in particular children of a tender nature.