Lot 236: Thérèse Lessore , 1884-1945 The Couple in the Box watercolour over pencil

signed l.r.: Lessore watercolour over pencil

16.6 by 17.5 cm.; 6 1/2 by 6 7/8 in.

Cork Street Gallery, London where bought by Sir David Scott, 29 January 1974 for £250

Lessore was born into a well-known artistic family, which included her father, the painter Jules Lessore and her brother, Frederick, a sculptor. Thérèse went on to become the third wife of Walter Sickert, whom she nursed until his death. Not surprisingly she was hugely influenced by her husband, both in style and in subject matter. Like him she shared a fascination for such subjects as the stage, the circus and music hall. That influence is evident in the present work, which is closely related to a slightly larger composition showing the stalls and orchestra pit in front of the tier of boxes (The Boxted House collection).