Helena J Maguire (British, 1860-1909); 'Elephant', Watercolour C.1900-07

The wonderfully charming watercolour painting of imposing size, depicting a large African Elephant, shown in profile with prominent tusks, realised on a buff ground and housed in its original period oak glazed frame with gilded slip, the whole surviving from Edwardian England, named Elephant lower right and signed Helena J Maguire.

The picture is in sound overall condition and, seeing as it has been in its original frame and glazed since its conception, the picture has not been cleaned or restored at any point. There is a small amount of spotting as photographed. It would benefit from a clean by way of taking the work out of the frame and cleaning the interior glass.

Verso we see the label for A. & F. Ponzini & Co., Hatton Garden, London. Andrew Pasquale Vacani (c.1824-1903) appears to have worked initially for the Italian carver, John Ponzini, at whose address, 22 Hatton Garden, he was listed as a shopman, gilder and carver in the 1861 census. He was recorded as a carver and gilder in the 1871 and 1891 censuses, and as a furniture dealer, aged 56, born ‘Lake of Como, Italy’ in 1881. Edward Burne-Jones seems to have used both Andrew Vacani and his son Paul at one time or another between 1879 and 1890. The label also specifies the owner as C.Mackintosh (?) 85 Belgrave Road, December 20th / 1907(?) S.W.

Helena J Maguire (1860-1909) was born in London and was a well-known figure, domestic painter, and illustrator. Helena was the daughter of Thomas Herbert Maguire and sister of Adelaide Agnes Maguire; both accomplished artists of their day. She painted children and animals in watercolour as we see here, mostly for children's books. Like her sister, Adelaide she was strongly influenced by William Henry Hunt, Foster and the Pre-Raphaelites. She exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1881 and 1902. A third sister, Bertha Maguire, exhibited flower pieces at the Royal Academy, and a brother, Sidney Calton Maguire, was an enamel painter and publisher. There are prints available of this wonderful original being found online.

We love antique paintings that are depicted in profile and the size and beautiful deft execution of this most noble of animals is simply terrific.