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Lot Essay
The subject of this painting is taken from Christina Rossetti's poem of the same title, written in 1859. Exploring themes of temptation, sacrifice and salvation, the poem is set in a fairytale world and narrates the story of two sisters, Lizzie and Laura, who are tempted by goblin merchants to purchase their enchanted and forbidden fruit.
Little is known about Hilda Koe. She was a prize winner and silver medallist at the Academy Schools, and the present work is one of only two she exhibited at the Royal Academy. Her first exhibit, a Vintage design for decoration was shown in 1895; her brother Lawrence (1868-1913) was also an artist. Two of his works are held by Brighton and Hove Museums and Art Galleries: Venus and Tannhauser, circa 1896, and Idyll, circa 1908-1911.
Little is known about Hilda Koe. She was a prize winner and silver medallist at the Academy Schools, and the present work is one of only two she exhibited at the Royal Academy. Her first exhibit, a Vintage design for decoration was shown in 1895; her brother Lawrence (1868-1913) was also an artist. Two of his works are held by Brighton and Hove Museums and Art Galleries: Venus and Tannhauser, circa 1896, and Idyll, circa 1908-1911.