Study of convolvulus and marigolds

Eloise Harriet Stannard came from a distinguished family of Norfolk artists. She was the daughter of Alfred Stannard and the sister of Alfred George Stannard who were both exhibiting artists. She is often confused with Emily Stannard, wife of Joseph Stannard, who painted meticulous fruit and flower pieces in a traditional Dutch style. Eloise Harriet exhibited still-lives at the Royal Academy, the British Institution and the Royal Society of British Artists. Many of her works are in the Castle Museum, Norwich.

This delightful example was formerly in the collection of Sir John Witt, a connoisseur whose father, Sir Robert, founded the Witt photographic library, now part of the Courtauld Institute, London.