This charming little painting was painted by an artist about whom we know very little. Yet James Crayer was clearly an accomplished artist with an eye for good composition and the talent to capture the creases and folds of fabrics in a thoroughly convincing manner. We know Crayer was active during the nineteenth century and this painting is reminiscent of a style popular in the 1890s.
This portrait shows Mrs. Mary Maud Foot with her three children relaxing in their garden at Church House in Pulborough, West Sussex, around 1902. Mary is seated next to her daughter Enid whilst her two older sons Leslie and Eric are placed further in the background. Not featured is their father, Dr Ernest Foot, who established a practice in the village some years earlier.
At first glance this intriguing painting appears to concern itself primarily with the presentation of food. The artist has depicted a range of wholesome foodstuffs along the front of the canvas, tantalizingly framed against various backdrops.
Mothering Sunday was once the day on which people would visit their “mother” church but has now become an occasion for honouring the mothers of children and giving them presents.
Michael Escolme 