Gathering Roses (also known as 'The Red Skirt')
Print on paper with decorative marbleized matting • James Hayllar (1829–1920)
Style & Movement
Victorian Genre Painting / British Academicism
Medium & Technique
Chromolithograph or high-quality photogravure reproduction of an original oil painting
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th century (Original oil painted circa 1880-1890)
Dimensions & Format
Small to medium format, portrait orientation (estimated 12 x 16 inches including matting)
Subject Description
A charming narrative scene depicting a young girl in Victorian attire, featuring a white lace collar and a red tartan skirt. She is shown outdoors, possibly in a garden, holding a rake or garden implement near a rose bush. The work captures the idealized beauty of childhood and domestic bliss common in the late Victorian era.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; visible age-related wear and mechanical damage
Estimated Market Value
USD 50 - 150
Auction Estimate
USD 30 - 80
Provenance History
Likely a decorative print purchased for home display in the mid-20th century; signature of Hayllar appears in plate (lower right), indicating it is a mass-produced reproduction.
Art Historical Significance
James Hayllar was a renowned Victorian painter known for his depictions of his four daughters, many of whom also became artists. This image is representative of the widespread popularity of his genre scenes, which were frequently reproduced as prints to satisfy the middle-class demand for sentimental domestic art.
Notable Features
Facsimile signature of J. Hayllar in the lower right; unique marbled paper border (French mat style) which adds decorative value but suggests it was framed for aesthetic rather than archival purposes.
Condition Issues
Visible vertical creasing/cracking in the paper surface on the right side; surface abrasions near the bottom left; yellowing of the paper and matting due to light exposure and acidity.
Conservation Recommendations
Remount using acid-free materials; replace glass with UV-protective acrylic; keep away from direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the pigments.