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'Isabella and the Pot of Basil'

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On page 193 of Peter Trippi's 2002 Waterhouse monograph he writes that Isabella and the Pot of Basil is unlocated.

I checked this today after reading a blog posting by Alison Flood at guardian.co.uk about a recent "fundraising evening for the Keats-Shelley house in Rome, which is marking its centenary by attempting to raise money to expand."

Alison shares in the blog something Catherine Payling, curator of Keats-Shelley House, told her. While "searching for the whereabouts of John William Waterhouse's painting 'Isabella and the Pot of Basil', based on Keats's poem of the same name, she was pointed towards, of all people, Rod Stewart. An eagle-eyed expert had spotted what appears to be the painting, hanging in Stewart's Beverley Hills mansion, in an "at home" feature the singer did with Architectural Digest [May 2007]."

Here is a link to the image (no. 8) within the article that shows Isabella above the fireplace in the sitting area of the master suite.

Alison writes, "Whether or not it turns out to be the original remains to be seen ..."

The painting (or reproduction) in the article seems to be the right size? (41.5" x 29") There doesn't seem to be any recent auction records for the work. (Unless I've missed something.)

Anthony Hobson wrote it appeared at Christie's in 1967 and became part of the Lord Lambton collection. He also writes that the work was exhibited in 1971 at Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield in 1971 as part of a Burne-Jones exhibit.

Interesting ... Rod has good taste in pictures at any rate. :)

RESPONSES:

Fascinating to read this, thanks for posting Cathy! I hope that Keats-Shelley House in Rome succeeds in their fund raising drive.

I recall coming across a reference to Waterhouse and Keats House (but can't remember exactly where unfortunately - either during a google web or books search), which said that Keats House in Hampstead, London was the setting for his "rose" painting - perhaps "The Soul of a Rose". I haven't visited either of the Keats Houses yet, so don't have photos for any comparisons just yet.

And here's Arthur T. Nowell's 1904 painting of Isabella

"Exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1904, No. 292: "'Isabella and the pot of Basil - Keats'. Isabella, wearing a heavy dress of crimson velvet, kneels on a pavement encircling the pot with her arms. "
and

"As we enter the next room, the poetry of mediaeval Italy casts its spell in Arthur T. Nowell's "Isabella and the Pot of Basil." The dark rich harmony of the piece is all of Keats: the gracious kneeling figure of Isabella is replete with womanly charm still; her arms embrace the precious jar which to her is the funeral urn holding the wreck of earthly joy; her face is like the face of a mother that watches her dead child. The very reality of sorrow is powerfully conveyed in her rich robe of purpled crimson and the close Florentine cap of the same dark colour that confines the treasure of her chestnut hair. The maiden majesty of her form does not preclude a sinuous litheness that is all of her native Italy. It may be the attitude alone, but the seeming length of neck is a defect in an otherwise commanding beauty."

Nowell's painting is so similar to Waterhouse's later picture, and they were friends I believe, and both paintings were painted at the same country house? A reviewer of the 1907 Waterhouse Isabella painting did not comment on their similarities:

"Mr. Waterhouse does not exhibit any large number of canvases, but his work is always beautiful and individual. In the example I have noted the figure of the woman is placed, contrary to a commonly accepted rule of composition, at one side, and looking out of the picture. This has a rather disturbing effect, if disturbing is not too strong an expression to use in reference to a picture of such great beauty."

From 'Some Remarks on the Royal Academy' by a mere photographer, The Photographic News, May 10th, 1907.

Fascinating indeed! I've been busy searching the net for anymore info but couldn't find anything. The only thing of note I would say is that, as Rod Stewart claims to have what "he believes to be one of the largest in the world" of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, I think it highly unlikely that he would have a copy taking pride of place above his hearth - though there's probabaly a few hearths in his mansion ;) I would also suggest that the picture frame for the painting is the kind that you would expect on an original Victorian work of art? Just a few thoughts.

Kind regards,

Jim

Update => per Peter Trippi, Waterhouse's biographer, as far as he is aware, the original painting 'Isabella' is indeed in Rod Stewart's collection.

Thanks so much for your comments, Julia and Jim.

Thank you for the confirmation from Peter, Julia! :)

Here is a link to the text of the Architectural Digest article (only the photos were linked to from Alison's blog, so just found this).

From the article:
“I would give anything to work at Sotheby’s,” says Stewart, who—fame aside—is a collector like any other collector. He reads auction catalogues in bed. He frets about running out of space. He always has his eye on something, though he has learned to bid with caution and from a distance. “It’s so-o-o addictive,” he says. ... The collection that gives Stewart the most pleasure is his Pre-Raphaelite paintings, which he believes to be one of the largest in the world. The heroes and heroines of his canvases are caught in various late-Victorian states of ecstasy, many of them, the singer explains, “based on the poems of Keats and Tennyson.” About a third of the collection is hung here, most dramatically on the split entrance hall stair, paintings of women on one side and couples on the other. He reminds us, "You have no idea how big those paintings are until you’re standing next to them."

I found this image showing some of the paintings in other rooms of the house here

Thanks, James ... if only his home was open to the public at times. :)

Unfortunately no response fron ILN. This might be the result of their efforts to update their web site. I'll drop in next time I'm in England (probably not before 2012, unless I manage to get hung in the BP this year, which is unfortunately unlikely).

I did get to see an Onslow Ford marble at the NSW State Gallery yesterday. Lovely work, standing next to a Lord Leighton marble wrestling a python (from the Schaffer collection). I'm not usually interested in marble sculpture, but knowing a connection makes it more engaging.

Sorry to hear the ILN hasn't replied .... that was about whether the Illustrated London News still has the original of 'A Greek Play' (which would be so interesting to know) ... mentioned at the end of this thread ... along with a little about Onslow Ford and Waterhouse (in case someone new hasn't seen that thread :)

Very glad you were able to see the works by Ford and Leighton.

Best wishes,
Cathy

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'Isabella and the Pot of Basil'

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