ADAM'S AT HOME 17TH DECEMBER 2025

21 William Rothenstein was born into a German-Jewish family. William and his brother Albert studied at the Slade School of Art, London and the later at the Académie Julian in Paris. In 1898–99 he co-founded the Carfax Gallery in St. James’ Piccadilly where he associated with many artists such as Charles Conder, Philip Wilson Steer, William Orpen and Augustus John. In 1899, he married Alice Knewstub, an actress known as Alice Kingsley and the daughter of Walter John Knewstub. He contin- ued to work as a painter, specialising in interiors and portraits. William travelled to India in 1910, which had a strong impact on his work. With the outbreak of the First World War, both brothers changed their surname to Rutherston. In 1917 William was appointed an Official War Artist and became known for his scenes of the blasted landscape of Flanders. After the War Rothenstein was appointed Principal of Royal College of Art. It was during his tenure at the College that the cur- rent work Haystacks (c.1930) was likely painted. The work strongly resembles Haystacks in the sunlight (Christie’s, London, 14 Jul 2016, Lot 100) painted circa 1930, if fact it may very well be the same haystack, albeit from a different vantage point. Haystacks has come from the collection of the late Burce Arnold, the eminent art critic, writer and collector. Arnold had a particular inter- est in William Orpen and his circle, publishing one of the foremost biographies on the artist, Mirror To An Age in 1991. 62 A CARVED STAINED WALNUT RECTANGULAR COFFER, 19TH CENTURY hinged top over a profusely carved base, with mask cartouches, scrollwork and floral decoration, raised on bun feet. 56cm high, 170cm wide € 800 - 1,200 61 SIR WILLIAM ROTHENSTEIN (1872-1945) Hay Stacks (c.1930) Oil on canvas, 54 x 88cm Provenance: From the collection of the Late Bruce Arnold; € 5,000 - 7,000