Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are delighted to offer this atmospheric watercolour by the artist JOHN MACWHIRTER, who has signed the painting in the lower right hand corner Mac W. which is how he characteristically signed his work.

The painting depicts a partial view of a moated castle or fortified house at dusk, probably in Scotland, where he mainly worked. We say it is Scottish, because of the circular turret, with conical top that is a common feature of such buildings in Scotland. Below the wall of the castle, is a steep bank leading to the moat, which is crossed by a bridge which is just visible in the distance. The season may well be autumn, as there is smoke coming out of the chimney of the castle and, although there are still a few leaves on the trees, they are mostly bare.

JOHN MACWHIRTER RA, RI, HRSA, RE 1839-1911 was a Scottish landscape painter in both oil and watercolour, born in Slateford, Edinburgh. He was apprenticed to a bookseller, but gave that up to study art. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy Schools, where he became friendly with William McTaggart and came under the influence of Robert Scott Lauder and John Ballantyne. He was elected Associate Member of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1867 and Honorary Member in 1882, but settled in St. Johns Wood, London in 1869. He was elected a Member of the Royal Academy in 1893, and RE in 1881. He travelled extensively from the age of sixteen to Italy, The Alps, Norway, France, Switzerland, Turkey, Austria and America. He acquired a considerable reputation and wealth in his lifetime and published three books on painting.

He exhibited at the Royal Academy 1865-1904 (126 works), Royal Scottish Academy (20), Royal Oil Painters Institute (9) Walker Art Gall. Liverpool (26) Royal Hibernian Academy (10), Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour (10) Fine Art Society (229) and other venues too numerous to mention.

His biographical details are available in The Dictionary of Victorian Painters by Christopher Wood, The Dictionary of British Artists, The Dictionary of British Artists by Grant Waters, The Dictionary of Scottish Painters and the Dictionary of British Watercolour Artists by Mallalieu. Bibliography: M. H. Spielmann: The Art of J. MacW.

Auction records for works by this artist may be found at artprice.com (443 listings), findartinfo.com (195) and arcadja.com (224) and by putting his name into google.

The painting is mounted in cream with washlines and is framed in a 3/4" gilt frame. It will be supplied wired and ready to hang.

Image size: 13 1/4" x 9 3/8" - 33.65cm x 23.8cm

Frame size: 21 1/4" x 17 1/8" - 54cm x 43.45cm

Medium:

Condition: Very good. There is no foxing or fading and the colours are good. The mount is in very good condition as is the frame, with only very minor evidence of wear.