RICHARD MORTON PAYE (BRITISH 1750-1821) SAINT JAMES' DAY

Oil on canvas
12.3cm x 119.4cm (40.25inx 47in)
Provenance: William Clay, Esq. of Gower Street. (1748-1824);
His sale, Christies, London, 5 June 1824 (Lot 95, bt. Johnson, £8.5);
Julius Ernst Guthe, Kepwick Hall, Thirsk, North Yorkshire (1857-1917);
Julius Ernst Guthe, Jr., Kepwick Hall, Thirsk, North Yorkshire (1885-1975);
Digby J. E. Guthe, Silton Hall, Neither Silton, North Yorkshire (1927-1982);
By descent.
Private Collection UK.
Exhibition: Royal Academy, London, 1788, ‘St. James’s Day’. no. 249.
Literature: The Literary Gazette: A Weekly Journal of Literature, Science, and the Fine Arts For the Year 1828, London, page 556.
Note: This recently discovered major work by Richard Morton Paye is infused with satirical Hogarthian elements. It depicts St James’ Day, traditionally a feast day to mark the start of the oyster season.
Paye was an innovative but underappreciated painter of everyday scenes featuring children. He exhibited regularly at the RA but few paintings are located today. Critical favour eluded Paye which perhaps he himself responded to through the rendering of the word Critick (sic) on the collar of the dog devouring the chicken in the corner of the painting. Paye also portrays himself with the indignity of being pickpocketed as he gazes out to the viewer.
Sold for £5,000
(Inclusive of Buyer's Premium)