Early 19th-century British School, River Landscape with Women Washing Laundry - Antique Oil Painting

19th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

This charming early 19th-century British School oil painting depicts a river landscape with washerwomen, grazing sheep and upland scenery.

Under the gentle glow of a British summer, two women wash laundry alongside a broad expanse of shimmering river. Beyond them, the majestic forms of craggy peaks bring a sense of grandeur and allude to nature’s sublimity. Perhaps it’s Wales or the Lake District.

Landscape painting during the late Georgian period was essentially a second-rate endeavour with the art-buying aristocracy preferring the prestige of history painting or portraiture. But a handful of artists, such as Richard Wilson (1713-1782), were inspired by their European grand tours and sought to elevate its status. As such, they often added grandiosity to their work by selecting monumental views, which were backlit by a radiant sun.

Here, we see the hand of an artist aware of those ideas, yet applying them in a somewhat understated way. Note how they’ve drawn the eye to the figures via the use of colour, thus portraying them as the most important element. It’s an interesting inclusion and it suggests this could be a commission. Did the commissioner know this stretch of river and the ladies washing here?

Held within a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 36½” x 29” / 96cm x 73cm

Year of creation: c. 1800

Condition: Artwork presents well. Craquelure but the paint is stable. Frame with some light wear.

Physical Dimensions

Height

73cm (28.74")

Width

96cm (37.80")

Depth

5cm (1.97")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA999492

Description

This charming early 19th-century British School oil painting depicts a river landscape with washerwomen, grazing sheep and upland scenery.

“

Under the gentle glow of a British summer, two women wash laundry alongside a broad expanse of shimmering river.

Brave Fine Art

Beyond them, the majestic forms of craggy peaks bring a sense of grandeur and allude to nature’s sublimity. Perhaps it’s Wales or the Lake District.

fig 1. Early 19th-Century British School, River Landscape With Women Washing Laundry - Antique Oil Painting — fig 1. Early 19th-century British School, River Landscape with Women Washing Laundry - Antique Oil Painting

Landscape painting during the late Georgian period was essentially a second-rate endeavour with the art-buying aristocracy preferring the prestige of history painting or portraiture. But a handful of artists, such as Richard Wilson (1713-1782), were inspired by their European grand tours and sought to elevate its status. As such, they often added grandiosity to their work by selecting monumental views, which were backlit by a radiant sun.

fig 2. Early 19th-Century British School, River Landscape With Women Washing Laundry - Antique Oil Painting — fig 2. Early 19th-century British School, River Landscape with Women Washing Laundry - Antique Oil Painting

Here, we see the hand of an artist aware of those ideas, yet applying them in a somewhat understated way. Note how they’ve drawn the eye to the figures via the use of colour, thus portraying them as the most important element. It’s an interesting inclusion and it suggests this could be a commission. Did the commissioner know this stretch of river and the ladies washing here?