Sir Montague John Cholmeley (1802– 1874), 2nd Bart., Easton, Co. Lincoln.(1) Probably "A Gentleman" (sale, London, Christie’s, 17 Dec. 1915, lot 117, as "A Frozen River Scene, with Figures: Moonlight, on panel, 14 1/2 in. by 19 in.," sold for ￡37.16 to);(2) Lindlar.(3) "Different Properties" (sale, London, Christie’s, 30 Nov. 1917, lot 42, as "A Frozen River Scene, with Buildings and Figures, on panel—14 1/2 in. by 19 in.," sold for ￡25.4 to); [Van der Kar, London]. "Property of a Lady" (sale, London, Christie’s, 29 Mar. 1974, no. 67, ill., sold for ￡7,500 to); [Smith]. [David Koetser, Zurich, sold 1976 to]; Mr. and Mrs. Edward William Carter, Los Angeles, given 2003 to; LACMA.
Footnotes
(1) Label attached to the back of the panel is printed with Cholmeley’s coat of arms and "Sir Montague John Cholmeley, Bart."
(2) Possibly sold from the estate of Captain Sir Montague Aubrey Rowley Cholmeley (1876–1914), 4th Bart., Easton, grandson of Sir Montague John Cholmeley. The younger Sir Montague was killed in action 24 December 1914. Although the dimensions agree with the Carter painting, the description of the painting as "moonlight" does not. The discrepancy may, however, be attributed to dirty varnish that could have made the painting appear to represent evening or night.
(3) Possibly Max Lindlar, who in 1926 was noted as having been head of the Bechstein Piano Company, 40 Wigmore Street, London, for forty years. Grew 1926, p. 54.
