Samuel Bough Rsa, Shore Scene with a Shrimp Fisherman, Antique Oil Painting, Coast, Scotland

18th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

A rugged coastal scene by Samuel Bough RSA (1822-1878), one of the most influential figures of nineteenth-century Scottish landscape painting. This oil on panel depicts a solitary shrimp fisherman standing before a rough ocean and under a shimmering sky filled with sunlit clouds.

The painting’s success is due in part to its intelligent composition, with the horizon line cutting neatly through the rocks in the foreground. Bough seems to pull our eye from the building on the right out towards the sandy tide pools and onwards through the waves.

But also, the sky, with its wispy clouds that almost seem to move before our eyes, is captured beautifully. Bough was a keen admirer of JMW Turner and, like him, had a fascination for the fleeting effects of weather. It’s said that he was so excited by painting the weather that he would often obtain forecasts from local fishmongers before planning his outings. Many of his works were created ‘en plein air’ as a result.

It’s not clear where this particular coastal scene was painted but popular haunts included the fishing harbours of Fife and East Lothian.

Bough was elected a member of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1875 and he exhibited 15 works at the Royal Academy between 1856-1876.

Medium: Oil on oak panel

Size including frame: 21½” x 13?” / 53cm x 35cm x 4cm

Year of creation: c. 1860 - c. 1878

Condition: Artwork in good condition with no issues. Frame with some minor losses, scratches and scuffs.

Artist’s auction highlight: £90,000 achieved at Bonhams in 2012 for ‘Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street’.

Physical Dimensions

Height

35cm (13.78")

Width

53cm (20.87")

Depth

4cm (1.57")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA597625

Description

A rugged coastal scene by Samuel Bough RSA (1822-1878), one of the most influential figures of nineteenth-century Scottish landscape painting.

“

This oil on panel depicts a solitary shrimp fisherman standing before a rough ocean and under a shimmering sky filled with sunlit clouds.

Brave Fine Art

fig 1. Samuel Bough RSA, Shore Scene With A Shrimp Fisherman, Antique Oil Painting, Coast, Scotland — fig 1. Samuel Bough Rsa, Shore Scene with a Shrimp Fisherman, Antique Oil Painting, Coast, Scotland

The painting’s success is due in part to its intelligent composition, with the horizon line cutting neatly through the rocks in the foreground. Bough seems to pull our eye from the building on the right out towards the sandy tide pools and onwards through the waves.

fig 2. Samuel Bough RSA, Shore Scene With A Shrimp Fisherman, Antique Oil Painting, Coast, Scotland — fig 2. Samuel Bough Rsa, Shore Scene with a Shrimp Fisherman, Antique Oil Painting, Coast, Scotland

But also, the sky, with its wispy clouds that almost seem to move before our eyes, is captured beautifully. Bough was a keen admirer of JMW Turner and, like him, had a fascination for the fleeting effects of weather. It’s said that he was so excited by painting the weather that he would often obtain forecasts from local fishmongers before planning his outings. Many of his works were created ‘en plein air’ as a result.