THE BARREN FIGTREE.

Photos: Jonathan Russell (taken while on display during Painting Light and Hope exhibition, Manchester Art Gallery, 2018-2019)/ Cheffin’s.

  • Title(s): The Barren Figtree (1923 exhibition catalogue); The Barren Fig Tree (Cheffin’s, 2010); The Barren Fig (title given at Painting Light and Hope exhibition, Manchester Art Gallery, 2018-2019).
  • Description:
  • Media: oil on canvas.
  • Dimensions: 29 x 50 cm.
  • Signature/date/other text:
  • History:
    • c. 1900-c. 1910 – Notice by picture when on display at in Manchester Art Gallery, 2018-2019.
    • 1920 – Auctioned Christie’s, London, 9 Jul, lot 162, “The Property of Mrs Charles Hunter, 31 Portland Place, London, W1” (Cheffin’s, 2010).
    • 1923 – Exhibited Manchester Art Gallery – Paintings by Mrs. Swynnerton, no. 29, “The Barren Figtree / Painted at Lake Albano. / Lent by Mrs. Charles Hunter”.
    • 2010 – Auctioned Cheffin’s, Cambridge, 25 Mar, lot 712, “signed lower right “Anna Swynnerton” / oil on canvas, in a tortoiseshell frame / h: 29cm w: 50cm d: cm Provenance: Christie’s, London, sale, lot 162, 9 July 1920, The Property of Mrs Charles Hunter, 31 Portland Place, London, W1. / Condition Report / Canvas slightly bowing in frame. Original tortoiseshell frame has one corner missing and cracks.”, sold: £1,000.
    • 2018-2019 – Exhibited Manchester Art Gallery, 23 Feb 2018 to 6 Jan 2019, “Lent by the Executors of Christine Brownlie Allen (1954-2014)” (Painting Light and Hope exhibition, Manchester Art Gallery, 2018-2019).
  • Location: private collection.

The lake in the picture is Lake Albano (Lago Albano), about 10 miles south-east of Rome.

Page last updated 16 Nov 2025.