Frank C. Penfold (1849-1921)

According to the seller and auction house (The Saleroom, Penzance, Cornwall, Great Britain, auction date 25 Jan 2018), the painting had been "Exhibited in March 1902 at the Buffalo Society of Artists. Six notable members of Buffalo society take tea in the Artist's studio. From left to right: The artist Burr H. Nicholls conversing with Mrs. Penfold, the artist's wife; Mrs. George Howard Bush presiding over the tea urn; Miss Emily Gray; Mrs. Edwin Fleming and Mr. George Hibbard the writer, on the extreme left. Provenance, from the estate of Major Charles St. John Colthurst (1904-1985) whose mother, Emma Susan Uebelher, was from Buffalo, New York; thence by family decent to the present vendor. Being sold with the painting is a pair of lorgnettes. Family legend has it that these are the same pair being held by Mr. Hibbard in the picture.