The Gentle Music of a Bygone Day

John Roddam Spencer-Stanhope (Cannon Hall 1829 - Florence 1908). Oil painting on canvas, 'The Gentle Music of a Bygone Day' by John Roddam Spencer Stanhope (Cannon Hall 1829 - Florence 1908), inscribed on frame, bottom centre: 'The Gentle Music of a Bygone Day and with the name of the artist and dated on: 1873. The title is inspired from a quotation from William Morris's 'The Earthly Paradise': Oh, friends, content you! this is much indeed, And we are paid, thus garnering for our need Your blessings only, bringing in their train God's blessings as the south wind brings the rain. And for the rest, no little thing shall be (Since ye through all yet keep your memory) The gentle music of the bygone years, Long past to us with all their hopes and fears." Two female figures in a pastoral idealised landscape with hills, trees, river, bridge, one standing, leaning against a tree, on the left, playing a stringed instrument (lute), and the other, singing whilst seated on a fallen tree trunk with music book on her lap. Wightwick Manor, West Midlands (Accredited Museum)