+++++ What Thomas Kinkade said about this work +++++ "I think many people have imaged life in a grand old manor house, managing estates, maintaining a wonderful stable, perhaps riding to the hounds, and of course, enjoying afternoon tea. Perhaps that was the inspiration behind this work. In this painting, I especially like the 'austere simplicity of the gate and wall'. He tells us that 'the owners have entrusted nature with the task of decoration' with its floral and ivy – a 'collaboration between nature and man'." ~~Thomas Kinkade