Gore painted this corner of his room repeatedly; for other examples see The Bedroom (Art Gallery of Hamilton, Ontario), The Toilet (Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge) and The Blue Petticoat (Aberdeen Art Gallery). The fact that it is initialled, rather than bearing the studio stamp, suggests that it was sold (or given to a friend) within Gore's lifetime.
The former owner of the present work, Australian newspaper proprietor Sir Keith Murdoch (1885-1952), was the father of Rupert Murdoch (b. 1931).
We are very grateful to Dr Wendy Baron for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.