Nairn, James McLachlan, 1859-1926 :Maimee. [18]92.

Shows a head and shoulders portrait of a young woman. She wears an orange cotton shawl.

Identified at the time of purchase as being titled 'Ma belle' and as a portrait of Mabel Hill. The reason for this identification is not known, other than the fact that Ma Belle and Mabel are similar, it could have been a word play on the artist's part, and Mabel Hill painted with James Nairn. Mabel Hill's daughter does not consider that the painting resembles her mother. The name 'Winifred' on the backing board appears to refer to an earlier owner, Winifred Stenhouse. The supposed 'Ma belle' title appears to read Maimee, not Ma belle.

A photographic portrait of Mabel Hill showing a similar hair style, (but with different facial features) can be found in "Fair play", 10 March 1894, page 4.

Other Titles - Winifred. Ma belle

Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - Jas M Nairn 92 [in black brushpoint, in the hand of the artist]; Backing board recto - bottom left - Winifred [in pencil]; Backing board recto - centre - No. 1. Maimee. J M Nairn, Manners Street, Wellington, N.Z. [In black brushpoint, in the hand of the artist]

Quantity: 1 oil(s).

Physical Description: Oil painting on board, 351 x 250 mm (sight)

Provenance: Previously in a private collection, Waikanae. An earlier owner was Winifred Stenhouse, daughter of Mary McGibbon, niece of the artist, and her husband Robert Stenhouse. The Stenhouses purchased the work in the 1940s