Cloth Alley, Smithfield - Barton, Rose (Irish painter, 1865-1929) (My University, 1993)
This painting is signed and dated by the artist and bears the title on a label attached to the backboard. Rose Barton is quoted in regards to this painting as saying: "I think that "Cloth Fair" was the most troublesome place in which I ever painted in London - not that the inhibitants wanted to hinder me, but that artists' visits are less frequent there than in other parts. However, the interest shown in my work was very keen. I managed to sit on a step with my back to a door, and no one would get exactly behind me, but about noon strings of mill girls used to swarm up the street, crowd about me and watch and order one another to 'get out of the Lydy's way'." (Sotheby's, 86)
Keywords: Art, Irish; Watercolor painting, Irish; Urban landscape architecture; Smithfield (London, England); London (England) Social conditions 19th century.; Clothing and dress Ireland History.; London (England) Buildings, structures, etc. Pictorial works.; 19th century