A fine and substantial oil on canvas of sheep by William Perring Hollyer (1834-1922). The scene shows a group of sheep in a mountainous landscape with an eagle circling in the sky and is titled ''Startled''. The quality of the painting is excellent particularly the sheep though the landscape is also painted beautifully. The painting is signed to the lower left but does not appear to be dated. The title ‘Startled’ is on the reverse. The painting has been professionally cleaned and some minor restoration made.William Perring Hollyer (1834-1922) was born in Dover, the son of Joseph Hollyer, a Heraldic Painter. William Hollyer specialised in animal paintings, particularly highly commercial Highland cattle pictures, though there is no evidence he ever visited Scotland. He appears not to have exhibited in any of the recognised venues of the day but simply sold direct to the public. He was the father of Eva Hollyer, Maud Hollyer and Gregory Hollyer all painters. Examples of his work can b...