Henry Herbert La Thangue found naturally disposed and patient sitters in this pair of young women, painstakingly creating the decorative bobbin lace for which coastal Liguria – the Italian Riviera – was renowned. La Thangue took regular inspiration from the lives of working people in England, Italy and France and, like Millet and van der Velden, was particularly drawn to disappearing forms of rural labour. Every winter from 1901, he relocated from the Sussex countryside to the Mediterranean and from 1904 to 1911 he based himself in the steep hillside fishing villages of Liguria. Working en plein air – outdoors – he painted sellers of flowers, oranges and poultry.
(Leaving for work, 2 October 2021 - 1 May 2022)