Accession Number

983.558a

Description

An oil painting on canvas, unsigned and untitled, the subject Roman ruins with itinerant figures.

Narrative

This painting depicting columned Roman ruins was completed circa 1800 by a follower of artist Hubert Robert (French, 1733 - 1808). It was once paired with the similar painting of matching dimensions and identical frame that The Castle Society owns (see: 2009.027a-b).

A marking on the stretcher written by  L.J. Phillips states that he purchased it from Muriel Dunsmuir (a.k.a. Jessie Muriel Dunsmuir, Mrs. Edward Molyneux, Mrs. Maurice Wingfield, Mrs. Frederick Graham St.Clair-Keith) in "about 1960". He adds, “think it came over in the Dunsmuir yacht, Delora (his spelling)”. Craigdarroch Curator Bruce Davies’ opinion is that Mr. Phillips bought this picture in the 1950's directly from Muriel Dunsmuir or at the auction held at her Victoria home, Hadleigh. It should be noted that Muriel Dunsmuir died in Paris in 1959.

The 983 prefix number indicates that this painting was received by Society President James K. Nesbitt at a time when gift forms were not used and purchase receipts and related documentation were not always kept secure.

How this picture came to be separated from its mate, painting 2009.027a&b, is unknown. 
 
Here are some theories:
 
1. Both paintings were sold at the 1939 Hatley Park sale. Muriel Dunsmuir bought one of them (983.558 a&b) and her Estate sold it to L.J. Phillips in 1960. The other (2007.027a&b) was purchased at the Hatley Park auction by Mr. and Mrs. Webb, who bequethed it to their daughter, who sold it to The Castle Society in 2007.
 
2. Both paintings were sold to Muriel Dunsmuir at the 1939 Hatley Park sale. One of them was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Webb at the auction held at Muriel’s house, Hadleigh, in 1960. The other painting (983.558) was sold to L.J. Phillips.
 
3. Both paintings were sold to Muriel Dunsmuir at the 1939 Hatley Park sale. One of them (2007.027a&b) was later sold by Muriel directly (not by public auction) to Mr. and Mrs. Webb. She told them that the painting had once hung in her parent’s home known as Dunsmuir Castle. The Webbs then confused the two Castles (Craigdarroch was known locally as Dunsmuir Castle until Hatley Castle was finished at which time it gradually became known as Dunsmuir Castle and Craigdarroch gradually became known as Craigdarroch Castle).

Although the explanations for how the paintings came to be separated and how they came to leave Dunsmuir hands are speculative, it is reasonable to conclude that both pictures were owned by the Dunsmuir family – and probably the James Dunsmuir family at Hatley Park as opposed to the Joan Olive Dunsmuir family at Craigdarroch. 

The pair of paintings were probably displayed on board the Dunsmuir yacht TSSY Dolaura and moved into the Hatley Park residence when the Dunsmuirs sold the yacht. 

History of Use

The early history of this circa 1800 picture is unknown, but it was probably created for display in a private house or art gallery. It was purchased by the James Dunsmuir family in about 1908 and displayed first on the TSSY Dolaura and subsequently inside their residence at Hatley Park, Colwood, B.C. It was likley acquired by L.J. Phillips from Muriel Dunsmuir's Estate in 1960.

Date

circa 1800

Dimensions

62.5 x 79.5 cm

Artwork Title

untitled

Subject/Image

Roman ruins with itinerant figures

Medium

Oil

Support

Canvas

Technique

Painted

School/Style

European school