THE PROPERTY OF A LADY
Helen Allingham, R.W.S. (1848-1926)

Milking, Valewood Farm

Details
Helen Allingham, R.W.S. (1848-1926)
Milking, Valewood Farm
signed 'H. Allingham' (lower right) and inscribed 'Milking (Valewood).' (on the reverse)
pencil and watercolour with scratching out
11¾ x 15½ in. (30 x 39.3 cm.)
Exhibited
London, The Fine Art Society, A Collection of Drawings by Mrs Allingham, R.W.S., illustrating Surrey Cottages, March 1886, no. 40.

Lot Essay

Valewood Farmhouse, near Haslemere in Surrey, was the subject of many pictures by Helen Allingham. Mr Newman, the farmer seen leaning on the garden gate, was a Devonshire man who employed several milkmaids to carry out his milking.

After the First World War the house lay empty until 1926 when it was transformed by the celebrated architect, Oliver Hill, who placed a swimming pool in the farmyard and a changing room in the dovecote. The terraced gardens were designed by Gertrude Jeykyll. Today the house remains just as it appears in the painting.

Milking - Valewood Farm was included in Allingham's exhibition at The Fine Art Society in 1886. It was featured in the Summer section, one of 66 watercolours by Allingham portraying the countryside during the four seasons.

We are grateful to Annabel Watts for her help in preparing this entry.

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