A fine late 19th-century oil on canvas depicting a colonel perched over an open bureau as he examines his household bills. The artist, Sir George Ogilvy Reid RSA (1851-1928), was particularly adept at scenes and this is a good example of his work.

Reid lived in Leith, Edinburgh, and was highly regarded during his lifetime. Many of his works are currently held in public collections. In 1891, he received a Royal Commission to paint the baptism of Queen Victoria’s grandchild, Prince Maurice of Battenburg and in 1898 he was elected a member of the Royal Scottish Academy.

This painting was previously sold at Sotheby’s for £1,100.

Signed in the lower right and housed within a gilt frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 12” x 15½” / 31cm x 39cm
Year of creation: c. 1890
Provenance: England
Condition: Good. Fine craquelure. Canvas relined. Frame with some light age-related wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £9,000 achieved for ‘Prince Charlie at Holyrood’ at an auction in 2006.