Attributed to David Cox Senior Original Early 19th Century Antique Watercolour Sketch Painting Windsor Castle with Cattle

Original 19th Century Watercolour – Attributed to David Cox O.W.S. (1783–1859)

“Windsor Castle from the Brocas” – Cattle Grazing Below Frosted Trees

Medium: Pencil and watercolour sketch on paper, mounted to board

Circa 1840–1855

Unsigned, but attributed verso by earlier gallery label (partially retained)

Description:

A delicate and atmospheric plein-air landscape study showing a distant view of Windsor Castle rising through wintry trees, with cattle grazing quietly in the foreground. The technique is characteristically subtle: pencil underdrawing and muted washes of brown, grey, olive and mauve, all typical of David Cox Senior’s mature outdoor work in the 1840s–50s. There is also a castle study verso.

The paper displays a gentle surface grain and light natural age toning consistent with early Victorian materials. This sketch may have been created in preparation for a more developed studio composition — a working method Cox frequently employed in his Windsor studies.

Verso is inscribed in graphite:

“Part of gallery label stating this to be a work of David Cox 1783–1859”

A partially preserved printed label further supports this attribution.

Attribution Context:

David Cox (Senior) was a leading figure of the Birmingham School and a founding master of British landscape watercolour. His sketchbook works often bear no formal signature but are well recognised for their immediacy, atmospheric handling, and poetic simplicity. This scene aligns compositionally and stylistically with several confirmed Windsor views by Cox, including those held by Christie’s and the British Museum.

Provenance:

Private UK collection

Previously acquired with gallery attribution verso

Is the artwork Framed or Mounted: Mounted and Framed, as shown.

Condition report: The artwork is considered to be in fair to good condition. Some minor age related discolouration. Please see our large selection of photographs to inspect the condition and quality of this item, and please don't hesitate to make contact, we are more than happy to answer any questions which you may have.

Size of artwork incl. frame is approx. 26 x 21 cm (mount aperture approx 11 x 9 cm)

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