Edward Martin
A game of Stoolball at West Tarring, Sussex
signed with initials and dated 'EM 1856' (lower left)
oil on canvas
15½ x 28 in. (39.5 x 71 cm)
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West Tarring is a village just north of Worthing and Martin was living in the village by 1855. The game of stoolball, which originated in the 15th Century, is believed...
West Tarring is a village just north of Worthing and Martin was living in the village by 1855. The game of stoolball, which originated in the 15th Century, is believed by scholars to be a forerunner of both cricket and baseball and was traditionally played by milkmaids using their milking stools as wickets. A study version of this subject in watercolour by Martin is in the collection of Worthing Museum Art Gallery. They have confirmed that the scene is a game of stoolball.
Provenance
Miss Boult, granddaughter of Robert Southey (1774-1843), who had friendships at West Tarring
by whom bequeathed to Sir Arthur Bryant, the historian (1899-1985), Myles Place, Sailsbury
Christies, Executors' sale, London, September 6th 1985, lot 737 (as 'EAM')