Lot 86: Mark Lancelot Symons (British, 1887-1935) The Lauda Sion

Mark Lancelot Symons (British, 1887-1935)
The Lauda Sion
signed 'MARK/SYMONS' (lower right),
oil on canvas
100.5 x 61cm (39 9/16 x 24in).
Footnotes

Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist by the family of the present owner
Thence by descent

Exhibited
London, Royal Academy of Arts, 1928

Literature
Stephanie Wines, Mark Symons, Sheed & Ward, London, 1937, p.34

Speaking about the present work, Stephanie Wines comments, 'his wife was the model for Mary, and he gave rein to his delight in painting children. Once more he has given the utmost attention to detail and the colours are fresh and clear. The children on each side are arranged tradtionally, indeed the posing of the Virgin, the curtain behind, and the glimpse of landscape beyond, have been done repeatedly. An original contribution to this conventional setting is the ring of children at the bottom. They are knotted together to form a living rosary, and a profusion of charmingly painted flowers is woven in and out of the rosary beads. The limbs of this coil of children are perfectly done' (Stephanie Wines, Mark Symons, Sheed & Ward, London, p.34).