Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Scottish Landscape Oil Painting to the 1950s.
This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.
Oil on Board, After James Bell Anderson | Circa 1950
Subject & Medium
An atmospheric mid-20th-century oil on board depicting Urquhart Castle by moonlight, circa 1950.
Two tall, windswept trees on the left are silhouetted dramatically against the night glow, anchoring the composition. The shoreline curves toward the castle ruins, which stand quietly against a mountainous backdrop. Executed in oil, the painting captures the layered interplay of shadow and light with both technical finesse and emotional resonance.
Composition & Technique
The painting reflects the romantic nocturne style associated with James Bell Anderson.
Brushwork: Expressive and varied — broad strokes for the sky create drama, while fine detailing in the trees, shoreline, and castle provide balance.
Palette:
Deep greens and browns in the foreground suggest shadowed Highland terrain
Cool silvers, greys, and muted blues dominate the loch and sky
Touches of ochre and golden tones enliven the sandy shoreline
Sensitive rendering of moonlight reflections enhances the nocturnal atmosphere
Stylistically, the painting blends realism with romanticism, evoking both the physical presence and the enduring mystery of Loch Ness.
Signature
Signed with the monogram “T B” in the lower left. Painted in homage to James Bell Anderson by a mid-20th-century artist, c.1950.
About the Artist (James Bell Anderson, 1886–1938)
Although not by Anderson himself, this painting pays tribute to his celebrated style. Anderson was a Scottish painter admired for his poetic Highland landscapes and atmospheric nocturnes. His works combined technical precision with evocative mood, particularly in his depictions of moonlit skies, shimmering waters, and dramatic Highland settings.
Dimensions & Frame
Framed size: 35 cm wide × 30 cm high × 2 cm deep
Presented in its original gilt moulded decorative frame, ready to display.
Provenance
Private Collection
With Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Formerly exhibited at a Middle Shire Museum
Why Collect This Work
Atmospheric moonlit view of Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
Evocative of Scottish romance, mystery, and folklore
Faithful homage to James Bell Anderson’s iconic nocturnes
Elegant gilt frame, display-ready
A unique work for collectors of Scottish landscapes and Romantic art
Timeless decorative appeal for both traditional and modern interiors
Condition Report
Good overall vintage condition
Stable paint surface with no flaking or overpainting
Some foxing and surface marks; would benefit from a light professional clean
Frame structurally sound with expected wear and small losses
Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Scottish Landscape Oil Painting to the 1950s.
This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.
Source the historic in 17th, 18th, 19th & 20th century fine arts, painting, sculptures & collectibles
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Oil Painting Urquhart Castle Loch Ness in Moonlight After James Bell Anderson
