Lot 247: William M. Hay (fl.1852-1881)

A Labour of Love; and Love's Young Dream
the first signed and dated 'Hay 80' (lower left) and inscribed as title (on a label adhered to the reverse); the second signed and dated 'Hay 80' (lower right) and further signed and inscribed 'by W.M.Hay 23... Fitzroy (?) Square London... As love's young dream....' (on a label adhered to the reverse)
oil on canvas
22 x 25 in. (55.9 x 63.5 cm.) (2)

Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 2 November 1989, lot 127 and lot 128.

Hay was a London-based painter of portraits, figurative genre and Biblical scenes. The inscription on the reverse of the second picture derives from Love's Young Dream, a poem by Irish lyricist Thomas Moore (1779-1852). The last four lines of the first stanza read: 'But there's nothing half so sweet in life As love's young dream: No, there's nothing half so sweet in life As love's young dream'.

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.