Re-discovered painting by Albert Chevallier Tayler sells for £118,850

The intimate scene of 19th Century life is characteristic of many of the naturalist ambitions of the Newlyn School. The painting was among several lots that exceeded their estimates, in Bonhams 19th Century Paintings, Drawings & Watercolours which realised over £1.3 million. The painting is an important rediscovery, having been in private hands since the 1930s. It is an atmospheric scene showing three women chatting

Tayler was born in Leytonstone, into a family of modest means, and won a scholarship to the Slade in 1879. Like many of his contemporaries, he furthered his education at the famous Paris ateliers of Laurens and Carolus Duran. Tayler arrived in Newlyn in September 1884, taking lodgings at Bellvue, where Stanhope Forbes and Blandford Fletcher were already settled.

Tayler showed his first work at the Royal Academy in 1884, and by 1888, the year in which the present lot was painted, there was a significant increase of critical interest in the group, following a number of successful Royal Academy exhibitions, most notably Stanhope Forbes' A Village Philarmonic, Frank Bramley's iconic A Hopeless Dawn and Tayler's own A Dress Rehearshal. Taylor continued to exhibit at the RA until his death in 1926.
The overall success of this recent sale, with 70% of lots sold, demonstrates the continuing strength of the 19th Century Paintings market, despite these uncertain times.