Back
Old Masters and 19th Century Art
|
- Sale 6380
Live
| Philadelphia
Nov 4 | 12:00 PM EST
Live
| Philadelphia
Sale 6380
| Philadelphia
| Philadelphia
Estimate$60,000 – $80,000
Provenance:
Frost & Reed, Ltd., London
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner in 1983.
Literature:
John Ruskin, Academy Notes 1875, Art Journal, 1875.
Illustrated London News, 22nd May, 1875, p. 487.
Robert Chignel, The Life and Paintings of Vicat Cole, R.A., 1896, vol. I, pp. 114-119, ill. p. 117.
Exhibited:
London, Royal Academy, 1875, no. 237, p. 14.
Lot Essay:
While monumental in size - the present painting is the largest work by Cole to appear at auction in decades - A View of Richmond Hill possesses details and subtleties, along with an unmistakable British bucolic quality not always present in the Portsmouth painter's smaller canvases. The present painting was executed in 1875 and it was exhibited at the Royal Academy. In the present work, Cole depicts figures enjoying the panoramic view from Terrace Walk, highlighted by an elegant woman holding a parasol, with other figures both strolling and seated along the Walk with the Thames winding from the midground to the background behind a line of trees.
Remarkably, the artist had no formal training save for what he learned from his father, the painter George Cole, yet his paintings were exhibited by the Royal Academy - (as was the present painting) - when he was only 20 years old. The famed British essayist and critic John Ruskin, who preached the "truth to nature" principle in which he championed artists to paint the natural world thought highly enough of A View of Richmond Hill, to write about it in his 1875 Academy Notes.
Framed: 62 x 96 in.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
