* Unknown (Dutch?) Dutch Peasants {1885} Loc? [PA]

Unknown artist (Dutch?)
Dutch Peasants
Oil on panel, c. 17.78 x 22.86 cm
Presented by Joseph Reed, 1885
Unidentified, present location unknown

This work, still listed in the NGV in 1943 (cat.629), no longer appears to be in the collection. Without further details, or a photograph, it seems impossible to say much about it, and the title provides the only indication of its possible geographical source.

The donor, Joseph Reed (1823-90), was a major Melbourne architect, who designed the State Library building (1856ff.) and many other public buildings, working from 1862 in partnership with Frederick Barnes (1824-84).

See also Unknown (17C Dutch or Flemish?) Reading a Letter {1885} NGV [PA], also presented in 1885, but by a different donor.

Refs.

AR 1885, p.36 (as of an unknown subject, by an unknown artist); NGV 1894, V.viii.17 (size given as 7 x 9 inches); not listed in NGV 1905 

Cf. NGV 1943, cat.629 (under Anonymous). For Reed, see http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/reed-joseph-4459 (biography by David Saunders, published in ABD vol.6, 1976)