Georgina Lara The Wayside Inn

An original 1862 oil painting, Georgina Lara, The Wayside Inn.

This jewel of an oil painting by mid-Victorian artist Georgina Lara (fl.1862–1971) shows an archetypal scene of rustic village life. Depicted is a wayside inn, under proprietor G. Hobbs, with an abundance of small figures and animals populating the scene. The atmosphere is one of easy geniality and humble everyday activity. Whilst the Victorian coaching inn played a major role in the growing transportation system of England, the emphasis here is on the rural community—presenting an idealised pastoral view that would likely be readily received by the growing urban population.

Georgina Lara painted consistently on the theme of rural life, in a style reminiscent of 17th-century Dutch genre painting. Intricately detailed and densely populated, it recalls the highly prized work of artists such as Jan Steen (c.1626–1679), which elevated lowly peasant life to the status of history painting. Lara's work is highly collectable, with examples in the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. Active throughout the 1860s, she exhibited sixteen works at the Royal Society of British Artists in Suffolk Street and also at the British Institution.

Little is known about Georgina Lara's life and research around her name only serves to further obfuscate her identity. Our painting is signed 'G. Lara', but there were in fact a number of different artist names used at this time on works bearing a very close resemblance to each other. Some are signed Edwina Lara; others are signed Edward Masters, who also went by the name of Edwin Masters, Thomas Masters and William Masters. The works are so similar that some believe the artists to be one and the same.

It appears that there were multiple members of the Lara family that were recorded as artists, including William Paul Lara and his children Clara Georgina Maud Lara, Ernest Lara and Percy Leslie Lara. It is possible that various members of the family collaborated or worked together for a local dealer. It is interesting that a woman's name is readily used in Georgina's case, and we are hopeful that the skilled hand behind many of the paintings is indeed female.

This example of her work is an attractive compact size with a delicate frame, making the picture elegant rather than imposing.

Oil on canvas. Presented in an antique swept gilt gesso and wood frame.

Image size: 22 x 32cm. Frame size: 31 x 41.5cm.