Lyon, Toby: Ladder House
18.5in. x 14.5in.
oil on canvas
HGH comments: Toby Lyon’s work seems like a dream of the Victorian era. In Ladder House we see a completely dated trade and primitive equipment in full life. Lyon wants us to be reminded of her childhood Bexhill, the coastal English town where she spent many of her formative years.
A ladder house is the supplier of ladders when you are in need. People did not have the space to own a ladder of every size because once in a while a window must be replaced or a roof repaired. A ladder house is a supplier of ladders, where you rent a ladder and pay a daily fee. This trade disappeared a long time ago. Toby Lyon lets us have a short glance at times and customs long forgotten.
Toby Lyon passed away about five years ago. She is one of the best known of the British naïves, unfortunately passed away.