A charming village scene with figures, horses and other animals congregating around a village square. To the far left, a hay cart is being unloaded as children play marbles in the foreground. Meanwhile, figures on horseback wait their turn by a horse trough in front of villagers sat at a table. To the right, a wagon and horses are shown entering the village passing a group of figures and horses outside a thatched cottage. To the far right, an elderly couple sit on a log watching on as children buy apples from a seller.

Georgina Lara also known as Edwina Lara was a London painter of rustic farmyard and village scenes. Her work also closely resembles that of Edward Masters who also went by the name of William Masters. They are believed by many to be one in the same. However, there is evidence to suggest Lara was the pseudonym of Georgiana Laura Rogers who was related to the artists William Paul Lara (1827-1898) and Ernest William Lara (1858-1943).

Georgiana Laura Rogers was born in London on 17 July, 1828 and was the daughter of the artist William Paul Rogers (1801-1875) and sister of William Paul Lara (Rogers). She was listed as an artist in the 1851 census and at the time lived on Acton Street, St Pancras. In 1859, she married John Alexander McIntosh, a photographic artist. In the 1871 census she was recorded as living at 13 Chalk Farm Road, from where her husband ran a photographic studio. This was the same exhibition address listed as Lara’s from 1868. Her husband’s next business address was listed as 2 Prospect Terrace, which was also the last exhibition address for Lara. After her death in 1871, her brother William Paul Rogers changed his surname to Lara which may or may not have been related.

Lara made her debut at the Royal Society of British Artists in 1862, continuing to exhibit there until 1871. She also exhibited at the British Institution from 1863. Her exhibition addresses included 24, George Street, Euston Square, 32 Carlton Road Villas, Kentish Town, 13 Chalk Farm Road and 2 Prospect Terrace, Upper Holloway. Her paintings are full of charm, often containing groups of small figures and detailed buildings. Many of her works are also centred around villages or hamlets such as this lovely example.

Examples of her work are held by the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum.