EDWARD ATKINSON HORNEL (SCOTTISH 1864 - 1933), THE LILY POND oil on canvas, signed and dated '97 51.5cm x 62cm (20 x 25 inches) Framed Provenance: With James Connell & Sons, Glasgow, Mrs A. L. Evans, Sale; Christie's & Edmiston's, Glasgow, 18th September 1979, lot 59. Note: An exceptional pre 1900 example of the work of EA Hornel. In February 1893 Hornel set off with George Henry to Japan, financially supported by Alexander Reid and William Burrell. Hornel produced some of his best work during the nineteen month visit and the exhibition of Japanese paintings held in Glasgow on his return was a huge success. Despite this success, Hornel returned to Kirkcudbright, shunning the art establishment in Edinburgh and Glasgow. It is generally accepted that Hornel produced his finest work in the 1890's and although his commercial success continued for the rest of his life, much of his work after the first few years of the twentieth century reveal an element of repetition and diminishing quality. This had little impact on his sales or popularity at the time and he acquired Broughton House in Kirkcudbright (now the Hornel Museum) with the sale proceeds (£400) of a single painting. McTear's has sold a dozen Hornel works in the last twelve months or so, achieving prices up to £22,000. However, in every sense, The Lily Pond is the finest example of Hornel's work that we've offered in many years.