The convex mirror, ca. 1916 / by George Lambert

Helen Selle bequest of artworks, ca. 1856-1957

This painting depicts a group of friends reflected through a mirror image. They stand in the low-beamed living-room of Belwethers, a cottage in the village of Cranleigh, Surrey. In 1916 Lambert visited the village when his son Constant became seriously ill with osteomyelitis while he was a student at Christ’s Hospital school in Horsham, West Sussex. Lambert himself looks out of the image in the foreground. Lambert’s wife, Amy, dressed in blue is depicted in the centre of the room, standing.

British periodical Country Life includes articles devoted to the history of the Belwethers cottage in Cranleigh (Surrey) and the Chilham Castle estate. Belwethers was inherited by Sir Edmund Davis (1861- 1939) and his wife in 1915.  Lambert's painting was first hung in Belwethers.

See: 
E. W. Marshall, `The Lesser Country Houses of To-Day: Belwethers, Cranleigh, and its reconstruction', illustrated with 6 detailed photographs, three of which are interior scenes, and a detailed plan of the estate, Country Life, vol 46, 19 July 1919, pp. 91 – 93

Photograph of the ‘Living Hall’ in Belwethers shows its convex mirror hanging above the fireplace alongside Lambert's recently acquired painting, unframed. After framing, the painting was hung in the Davis’ imposing Chilham Castle.
 
Christopher Hussey, `Country Houses, Gardens Old & New, Chilham Castle I. Kent. The seat of Mr. Edmund Davis', iIllustrated with 12 detailed black and white photographs of the gardens and exteriors of the castle, designed by Inigo Jones in 1616, Country Life, vol 55, 24 May 1924, pp. 812 – 819

Christopher Hussey, `Country Houses, Gardens Old & New, Chilham Castle II. Kent. The seat of Mr. Edmund Davis', illustrated with 13 detailed black and white photographs of interiors and exteriors of the castle, Country Life, vol 55, 31 May 1924, pp. 858 – 865: 

See also:
Robert Holden, `A fully rounded masterpiece', SL Magazine, Spring 2020, pp 23-37


The convex mirror, ca. 1916 / by George Lambert

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