'Hullo Largesse', a Harvest Scene in Norfolk
William Maw Egley (London 1826 - London 1916)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1860 - 1862 (exh at RA)
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1219 x 1829 mm (48 x 72 in)
Place of origin
Norfolk
Order this imageCollection
Scotney Castle, Kent
NT 792042
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, 'Hullo Largesse', a Harvest Scene in Norfolk by William Maw Egley (London 1826 - London 1916), 1860-1862. In a half-harvested field in the foreground, a gentry family stands on the left, watching the harvesters with joined and raised hands singing on the right, with the church tower behind them. A little peasant girl standing in front of the family holds out her right palm, whilst the younger daughter of the family, ears of corn in her left hand, reaches into a pocket for a coin with her right; large blue cloudy sky. The artist was staying with John Rose at Reedham Old Hall, Norfolk in 1860. Anyone staying at an East Anglian farm during the 19th century was traditionally obliged to give harvesters a present or 'largesse' which they acknowleged with the cry: 'Hullo Largesse'.
Provenance
Commissioned by John Rose of Reedham Old Hall, Norfolk with who the artist was stying in 1860; exhibited at London, Royal Academy, 1862, no. 514; arrived at Scotney in the 1950s (according to John Cornforth) - bought by Christopher Edward Clive Hussey (1899-1970); accepted by HM Treasury in lieu of inheritance tax and transferred to the National Trust under the terms of the will of Mrs Christopher Hussey (1907-2006)
Marks and inscriptions
Signed and dated Recto: Gilt tablet affixed to frame, lettered in black: “HULLO, LARGESSE” / W. MAW EGLEY / Exhibited R.A. 1862 Recto: Small paper label, bottom left: 82
Makers and roles
William Maw Egley (London 1826 - London 1916), artist
References
Garnett, 2008: Oliver Garnett. “Reaping the benefits: William Maw Egley unveiled at Scotney Castle.” Apollo, suppl. Historic Houses and Collections Annual April (2008): pp.10-13.