Peter Alexander Hay

82.5 by 101.5 cm., 32 ½ by 40 in. signed and dated l.r.: P.A Hay/ 1905 watercolour over pencil, oval CATALOGUE NOTE They told her how, upon St. Agnes' Eve,Young virgins might have visions of delight,And soft adorings from their loves receiveUpon the honey'd middle of the night,If ceremonies due they did aright;As, supperless to bed they must retire,And couch supine their beauties, lily white;Nor look behind, nor sideways, but requireOf Heaven with upward eyes for all that they desire.(John Keats The Eve of St Agnes, verse vi.)Keats famous poem was written in 1819 and published in 1820. Ittells the story of Madeline and Porphyro, whose love is forbiddendue to a feud between their families. Having heard the legend of StAgnes, patron saint of virgins, Madeline resolves to follow the'ceremonies' that promise dreams of her beloved Porphyro. She dulyretires to her chamber without supper, and lies on her back notlooking behind her or sideways and awaits her dream. Unbeknownst toher, Porphyro has risked his life by secreting himself in to herbedroom with the assistance of her aged maid, Angela. Madelineawakes to find Porphyro gazing upon her beauty, making her dream areality. While her family are distracted by the drunken revels ofthe feast of St Agnes she and Porphyro make their escape.Comparatively little is known of Peter Hay. He was born inEdinburgh and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy Schools and theAcademié Julien in Paris before settling in London. The choice ofsubject for the present picture was probably influenced by Sir JohnEverett Millais' Madeline Undressing (The collection of Her MajestyQueen Elizabeth II) which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in1863 (no.287) and William Holman Hunt's The Flight of Madeline andPorphyro during the Drunkenness Attending the Revelry (GuildhallArt Gallery, Corporation of London) exhibited at the Royal Academyin 1848 (no.804). Belonging as he does to a later generation ofartists, Hay presents a more overt eroticism in his painting ofsexual longing.

Peter Alexander Hay (British, 1866-1952) Portrait of Isabel Gillerta Kirkwood signed and dated 'P A Hay 1909' (upper right), watercolour 101 x 67.5cm (39 3/4 x 26 9/16in).

Peter Alexander Hay (British, 1866-1952) Portrait of Isabel Gillerta Kirkwood signed and dated 'P A Hay 1909' (upper right), watercolour 101 x 67.5cm (39 3/4 x 26 9/16in).

Peter Alexander Hay, RI, RSW, RBC (1866-1952) "LOCHRANZA, ISLE OF ARRAN" signed and dated '94; with Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Water Colours label and two other labels of provenance verso watercolour 54 x 59.5cms; 21 1/4 x 23 1/2in.

Peter Alexander Hay (British, 1866-1952) Les papillons signed and dated 'P.A. Hay 1922' (lower left) pencil and watercolor on paper sight 20 x 16 3/4in Butterfield & Butterfield, 27 March 1991, Lot 4253 Private collection, Northern California