This work was painted at the Gardiner’s home in Gloucestershire and is a good example of the artist’s depiction of a night-time scene, showing the light, reflections and shadows cast by the gas lamp and fire as his wife reads. (http://books0977.tumblr.com/post/152280754837/the-artists-wife-evelyn-seated-reading) The painting over the fireplace in this work is typical of the heightened pastel colours of Gardiner’s landscapes. (http://www.lissfineart.com/566art0_Gerald+Gardiner.htm)