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ID #SA460779
FOR SALE
£3,550
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Seascape Oil Painting of a Hay Barge on the Medway by Hubert Thornley
Benton Fine Art
for sale €4,154     $4,509
£3,550
Benton Fine Art

Benton Fine Art

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2012
Browse dealers 211 items
  • About Us
    Specialists in 19th & early 20th century original oil paintings by listed artists
  • Trade Associations
    Benton Fine Art is a registered member of LAPADA  BADA  CINOA
Id #SA460779
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Seascape Oil Painting of a Hay Barge on the Medway by Hubert Thornley

19th century
For Sale by Benton Fine Art
Description

Hubert Thornley

British, (exh. 1858 -1898)

Hay Barge on the Medway

Oil on canvas, signed

Image size: 23.5 inches x 17.5 inches

Size including frame: 30.5 inches x 24.5 inches

A fine seascape featuring a hay barge on the Medway by Hubert Thornley. A heavily laden hay barge can be seen making its way on choppy seas whilst in the foreground figures in a rowing boat are about to dock.

Hubert Thornley was one of the pseudonyms of William Thornley, a painter of coastal scenes and marines who lived in Greenwich and for many years had a studio overlooking the Medway near Rochester in Kent. According to art historian Denys Brook-Hart, he was actually born Charles Thornley and exhibited under this name from an address in Paddington, London.

Although called Charles, his best known name was William Thornley. He would also exhibit and sell paintings under other variations of his name such as Hubert Thornley, William Anson Thornberry and William Anson. He was a prolific exhibitor with 53 works shown at the Royal Academy, and 82 at other venues. He also exhibited at the British Institute until its closure in 1867, and at the New Watercolour Society.

His works are highly distinctive and finely detailed, often painted on a small scale. No matter what name he used, his works bear all the hallmarks of his artistry and masterful understanding of the moods of both weather and sea.

Presentation: The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

© Benton Fine Art

Physical Dimensions
Height
77cm (30.31")
Width
62cm (24.41")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Declaration

Benton Fine Art has dated this Victorian Maritime Oil Painting to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA460779
Dealers Notes

Members of the British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) the London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association (LAPADA).

We use a professional, fully insured and tracked door to door service for our UK and international deliveries. Please contact us for further information and shipping quotes.

Viewing is by APPOINTMENT ONLY. However, we can also arrange for you to view the item in your home, depending on the location.

For a wider range of stock please visit www.bentonfineart.com.

If you would like to purchase this item or have any questions, please email us at pictures@bentonfineart.com or call 07710 540549.

© Benton Fine Art

Description
Hubert Thornley

British, (exh. 1858 -1898)

Hay Barge on the Medway

Oil on canvas, signed

Image size: 23.5 inches x 17.5 inches

Size including frame: 30.5 inches x 24.5 inches

A fine seascape featuring a hay barge on the Medway by Hubert Thornley.

A heavily laden hay barge can be seen making its way on choppy seas whilst in the foreground figures in a rowing boat are about to dock.
Benton Fine Art
fig 1. A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame.
fig 1. Seascape Oil Painting of a Hay Barge on the Medway by Hubert Thornley

Hubert Thornley was one of the pseudonyms of William Thornley, a painter of coastal scenes and marines who lived in Greenwich and for many years had a studio overlooking the Medway near Rochester in Kent. According to art historian Denys Brook-Hart, he was actually born Charles Thornley and exhibited under this name from an address in Paddington, London.

fig 2. A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame.
fig 2. Seascape Oil Painting of a Hay Barge on the Medway by Hubert Thornley

Although called Charles, his best known name was William Thornley. He would also exhibit and sell paintings under other variations of his name such as Hubert Thornley, William Anson Thornberry and William Anson. He was a prolific exhibitor with 53 works shown at the Royal Academy, and 82 at other venues. He also exhibited at the British Institute until its closure in 1867, and at the New Watercolour Society.

fig 3. A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame.
fig 3. Seascape Oil Painting of a Hay Barge on the Medway by Hubert Thornley

His works are highly distinctive and finely detailed, often painted on a small scale. No matter what name he used, his works bear all the hallmarks of his artistry and masterful understanding of the moods of both weather and sea.

fig 4. A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame.
fig 4. Seascape Oil Painting of a Hay Barge on the Medway by Hubert Thornley

Presentation: The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

© Benton Fine Art

Height
77cm (30.31")
Width
62cm (24.41")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Date of Manufacture

Benton Fine Art has dated this Victorian Maritime Oil Painting to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA460779
Benton Fine Art
Benton Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2012

Specialists in 19th & early 20th century original oil paintings by listed artists

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Benton Fine Art Profile Page

Trade Associations

Benton Fine Art is a registered member of LAPADA  BADA  CINOA

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A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame.
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Archive I A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame.

Seascape Oil Painting of a Hay Barge on the Medway by Hubert Thornley

Archive II A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame. View II
Archive III A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame. View III
Archive IV A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame. View IV
Archive V A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame. View V
Archive VI A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame. View VI
Archive VII A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame. View VII
Archive VIII A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame. View VIII
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Telephone 07710 540 549
Location
Near Broadway
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Sep 2012
Items For Sale 211
Benton Fine Art
Benton Fine Art
Verified Since Sep 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Near Broadway, Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Sep 2012
For Sale
211
A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame.
Seascape oil painting of a hay barge on the Medway by Hubert Thornley
Ref: SA460779
A Victorian oil painting depicting a hay barge navigating choppy coastal waters, framed in a gold gilded frame.
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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.

Victorian marine painting focused on coastal activity, trade vessels, and atmospheric water conditions. Artists captured working craft, such as Thames and Medway barges, with attention to rigging detail and naturalistic light.

Artists painted primarily using oil pigments on stretched linen canvas or hardwood timber panels. These works were typically housed in hand-carved or composite gesso moulded wood frames finished with gold leaf gilding.

Authentic pieces feature natural age-related varnish craquelure, period-correct canvas stretchers or panel construction, and hand-applied gilding on the frame. Artist signatures and canvas maker stamps on the reverse also assist identification.

Hang the artwork above a wooden mantelpiece or mahogany sideboard to act as a focal point. Combining traditional maritime oils with dark academia, library, or classic country house decor creates texture and historical depth.

Dust the frame and canvas surface gently with a dry, soft-bristled brush. Keep the painting away from direct sunlight, dampness, and radiator heat, avoiding liquids or chemical solvents on the historical varnish.
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