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Italian Lake Como by Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909
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for sale €679     $737
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Italian Lake Como by Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909

1900 - 1920
For Sale by Sale Antiques
Description

OFFERED AT AUCTION TRADE PRICE

>> NO COMMISSION OR FEES TO PAY <<

INCLUDES FREE UK DELIVERY / Excluding Ireland

Collectable Artist Robert George Talbot Kelly

We are delighted to bring to the market this very desirable and sought after large watercolour painting depicting a beautiful view of Italian Lake Como by the highly collected artist Robert George Talbot Kelly RBA RI RBC FRGS, who has signed the painting in the lower left hand corner and dated it 1909.

LAKE COMO located in northern Italy, is the third-largest Italian lake and is famous for its dramatic Y-shape, deep blue waters, and backdrop of the snow-capped Alps. Renowned for centuries, it blends natural beauty with historic villas, charming villages, and luxury tourism

The painting depicts the lake with an arched wall covered in bougainvillea to the right of a long flight of steps, with a man with a pannier on his back walking down them. Within the arched wall is an iron gate which is the entrance to a boathouse. There is a lady and child further behind him on the path underneath the trees.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Robert George Talbot Kelly was an orientalist, landscape and genre painter, author and illustrator. He was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire in 1861, the son of the Irish landscape artist Robert George Kelly. He left school in 1876 to take up work at a firm of cotton traders, but was also taught art by his father and, in the early days, exhibited under the name of R. G. Kelly Jr.

After a holiday cruise, he was inspired to become a professional artist. He left his job in 1882 and settled in Egypt, acquired a studio and became a fluent Arabic speaker. He travelled throughout the country, spending much time with the Bedouin, who he described in his book ''Egypt painted and described'' published 1902. During this time, he travelled to Burma, where he influenced the development of Burmese painting in the early 20th Century and published ''Burma painted and described'' in 1905. He later published ''Burma the land and people'' in 1909. He also illustrated Slatin''s ''Fire and sword in the Sudon'' in 1896. In 1915, he returned to England for health reasons.

He died at the Cancer Hospital in Chelsea on 30th December 1934.

We could find no reference to him travelling to Italy, but we have found listed on google, a ''Catalogue of an exhibition of water-colour drawings of Egypt and the Italian lakes by R. Talbot Kelly''. This painting may have been one of those exhibits.

He was elected a Member of the Royal Society of British Artists in 1893 and a Member of the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolour in 1907. He was also a Member of the Royal British Colonial Society of Artists (RBC) and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

He was married and was the father of Capt. Richard Barrett Talbot Kelly MBE MC RI, who was also an artist who specialised in birds and historical subjects. His granddaughter Chloe Talbot Kelly is also an artist.

There are 7 of his paintings in the National Collection, in the Glasgow Museum, Newport Museum & AG, 4 at the Williamson AG & Museum, and National Museums of Liverpool.

The record for one of his paintings is £18,000 (22,500 inc. premium) at Christie''s in 2008.

His auction prices vary and average anything from £2000 upwards with many results achieving many times over the initial estimates.

COPY & PASTE THE LINK BELOW TO SEE A SIMILAR SIZED EXAMPLE SOLD AT CHRISTIES FOR £2125 ON 29TH SEPT 2011(LOT 204/SALE/2362)

christies.com/lotfinder/drawings-watercolors/robert-george-talbot-kelly-old-pagan-5480234-details.aspx

The painting has been newly double mounted in two tone acid free mount board and is newly framed in a 1 1/4'' bronzed frame. It will be supplied wired and ready to hang.

MEASUREMENTS

Image Size / Width 21'' x Height 14 3/8'' (53.4cm x 36.5cm)

Frame Size : Width 29 1/4'' x Height 22 5/8'' (74.25cm x 57.5cm).

MEDIUM Watercolour

Physical Dimensions
Height
74.2cm (29.21")
Width
57.5cm (22.64")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Declaration

Sale Antiques has dated this Lake Como Watercolour Painting to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1217950
Dealers Internal Reference
0630
Dealers Notes

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Description
OFFERED AT AUCTION TRADE PRICE

>> NO COMMISSION OR FEES TO PAY <<

INCLUDES FREE UK DELIVERY / Excluding Ireland

Collectable Artist Robert George Talbot Kelly

We are delighted to bring to the market this very desirable and sought after large watercolour painting depicting a beautiful view of Italian Lake Como by the highly collected artist Robert George Talbot Kelly RBA RI RBC FRGS, who has signed the painting in the lower left hand corner and dated it 1909.

LAKE COMO located in northern Italy, is the third-largest Italian lake and is famous for its dramatic Y-shape, deep blue waters, and backdrop of the snow-capped Alps.
Sale Antiques

Renowned for centuries, it blends natural beauty with historic villas, charming villages, and luxury tourism

fig 1. An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
fig 1. Italian Lake Como by Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909

The painting depicts the lake with an arched wall covered in bougainvillea to the right of a long flight of steps, with a man with a pannier on his back walking down them. Within the arched wall is an iron gate which is the entrance to a boathouse. There is a lady and child further behind him on the path underneath the trees.

fig 2. An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
fig 2. Italian Lake Como by Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Robert George Talbot Kelly was an orientalist, landscape and genre painter, author and illustrator. He was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire in 1861, the son of the Irish landscape artist Robert George Kelly. He left school in 1876 to take up work at a firm of cotton traders, but was also taught art by his father and, in the early days, exhibited under the name of R. G. Kelly Jr.

fig 3. An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
fig 3. Italian Lake Como by Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909

After a holiday cruise, he was inspired to become a professional artist. He left his job in 1882 and settled in Egypt, acquired a studio and became a fluent Arabic speaker. He travelled throughout the country, spending much time with the Bedouin, who he described in his book ''Egypt painted and described'' published 1902. During this time, he travelled to Burma, where he influenced the development of Burmese painting in the early 20th Century and published ''Burma painted and described'' in 1905. He later published ''Burma the land and people'' in 1909. He also illustrated Slatin''s ''Fire and sword in the Sudon'' in 1896. In 1915, he returned to England for health reasons.

fig 4. An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
fig 4. Italian Lake Como by Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909

He died at the Cancer Hospital in Chelsea on 30th December 1934.

We could find no reference to him travelling to Italy, but we have found listed on google, a ''Catalogue of an exhibition of water-colour drawings of Egypt and the Italian lakes by R. Talbot Kelly''. This painting may have been one of those exhibits.

fig 5. An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
fig 5. Italian Lake Como by Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909

He was elected a Member of the Royal Society of British Artists in 1893 and a Member of the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolour in 1907. He was also a Member of the Royal British Colonial Society of Artists (RBC) and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

fig 6. An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
fig 6. Italian Lake Como by Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909

He was married and was the father of Capt. Richard Barrett Talbot Kelly MBE MC RI, who was also an artist who specialised in birds and historical subjects. His granddaughter Chloe Talbot Kelly is also an artist.

fig 7. An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
fig 7. Italian Lake Como by Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909

There are 7 of his paintings in the National Collection, in the Glasgow Museum, Newport Museum & AG, 4 at the Williamson AG & Museum, and National Museums of Liverpool.

The record for one of his paintings is £18,000 (22,500 inc. premium) at Christie''s in 2008.

fig 8. An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
fig 8. Italian Lake Como by Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909

His auction prices vary and average anything from £2000 upwards with many results achieving many times over the initial estimates.

COPY & PASTE THE LINK BELOW TO SEE A SIMILAR SIZED EXAMPLE SOLD AT CHRISTIES FOR £2125 ON 29TH SEPT 2011(LOT 204/SALE/2362)

fig 9. An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
fig 9. Italian Lake Como by Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909

christies.com/lotfinder/drawings-watercolors/robert-george-talbot-kelly-old-pagan-5480234-details.aspx

The painting has been newly double mounted in two tone acid free mount board and is newly framed in a 1 1/4'' bronzed frame. It will be supplied wired and ready to hang.

MEASUREMENTS

Image Size / Width 21'' x Height 14 3/8'' (53.4cm x 36.5cm)

Frame Size : Width 29 1/4'' x Height 22 5/8'' (74.25cm x 57.5cm).

MEDIUM Watercolour

Height
74.2cm (29.21")
Width
57.5cm (22.64")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Date of Manufacture

Sale Antiques has dated this Lake Como Watercolour Painting to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1217950
Dealers Internal Ref
0630
Sale Antiques
Sale Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2026

Trade sales antiques & collectables direct to public no commission

Dealer Profile

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An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
1 / 14
Archive I An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.

Italian Lake Como By Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909

Archive II An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View II
Archive III An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View III
Archive IV An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View IV
Archive V An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View V
Archive VI An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View VI
Archive VII An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View VII
Archive VIII An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View VIII
Archive IX An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View IX
Archive X An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View X
Archive XI An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View XI
Archive XII An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View XII
Archive XIII An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View XIII
Archive XIV An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
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Location
Leicestershire
East Midlands
United Kingdom
Verified Since May 2026
Items For Sale 71
Items Sold 3
Sale Antiques
Sale Antiques
Verified Since May 2026
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Location: Leicestershire, East Midlands, United Kingdom
Verified
May 2026
For Sale
71
Sold
3
An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
Italian Lake Como By Robert George Talbot Kelly Watercolour Painting Signed & Dated 1909
Ref: SA1217950
An Edwardian watercolour painting depicting a sunny stone pathway and coastal villas along Lake Como, set within an ornate gilded frame.
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Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Edwardian watercolours often emphasize natural light, delicate colour washes, and precise topographical detail, reflecting the British interest in European travel during the early twentieth century.

Artists used mineral and plant pigments bound with gum arabic on heavy cotton rag paper, mounted and protected behind glass within wooden or gilded frames.

Authenticity is verified through period signatures, dating inscriptions, artist monograms, characteristic paper foxing, and original framing hardware from the early 1900s.

Position the framed picture above a sideboard or console table, or integrate it into a gallery wall layout to complement contemporary furniture with historical fine art.

Frame the artwork using acid-free mounting materials and UV-protective glass, and store or display it away from direct sunlight and ambient humidity variations.
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