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Lot Essay
St James's church in Shere was a popular subject with artists of the time and Leader himself returned to it several times in his career. The earliest rendering of 1892, his first known attempt, depicts St James's from a more distant perspective. Here, the landscape dominates and it was not until his next representation - the present work - 'The village church', in 1894, that the actual building became prominent. The revised view point seems more successful, and the picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy (no.484) before finding its way onto the front cover of the Shere Parish Magazine. Indeed, Leader acknowledged this improvement himself, writing '...have taken up my church picture again painted the tower and spire and have done it well'.
The artist executed this work whilst grieving for his recently deceased and much beloved sister Patty. Years later and with lifted spirits, he was to add the figures we see in the foreground and date it '1900', a gesture symbolising the conclusion of his mourning period.
We are grateful to Ruth Wood for her help in preparing this catalogue entry.
The artist executed this work whilst grieving for his recently deceased and much beloved sister Patty. Years later and with lifted spirits, he was to add the figures we see in the foreground and date it '1900', a gesture symbolising the conclusion of his mourning period.
We are grateful to Ruth Wood for her help in preparing this catalogue entry.