A Feast of Roses: a sketch

Although it is not known whether Leslie later reworked this subject on a larger scale, the present picture is highly typical of his oeuvre. Originally sold at Agnew's not long after it was painted, it is comparable in size to Ten Minutes to Decide, formerly owned by George Price Boyce, and sold at Phillips on 3 April 2001, lot 38 (£5,000). In subject it compares directly to The Garland, sold at Christie's New York, 11 November 1998, lot 25 ($480,000), and Pot Pourri, which the Times of 2 May 1874 described as 'one of those graceful old-world subjects which this painter has made his own, and which are best embodied in just such fragrant, leisurely and summer occupations as this of making sweeter odours of the deaths of sweet roses'. In 1882, the art critic for the Athenaeum commented upon Leslie's technique 'Mr. Leslie always paints faithfully and skilfully, every part of his work is fairly considered and in keeping with the rest.' (p. 672). The 18th century style costumes, and blue and white china all evoke the world of Kate Greenaway, and the Queen Anne revival, as exemplified in the buildings of Richard Norman Shaw and the construction of Bedford Park.