Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are offering for sale this enchanting oval watercolour of thatched cottages at Betrow, near Kingsbridge, Devon by the artist Thomas Dingle Jr. (1844-1919), who has signed the painting on the lower right hand side. The location is written on the backing paper, presumably taken from the back of the painting when last framed. The painting depicts two thatched cottages under the lee of a group of tall trees, with thatched outbuildings and a small pond in the foreground, with a black and a white duck drinking. The artist has captured the scene in great detail, with strong colours and it is a charming picture.

Thomas Simon Dingle was the son of Thomas Dingle (1818-1904), known as a London landscape painter, but who, according to the census records actually spent most of his life in Devon. Thomas Junior was actually born in Lambeth in 1844 on what must have been one of his father's trips to London. Presumably he was taught by his father as we have no knowledge of any official training and his sister Elizabeth was also listed as an artist in the census. He had three siblings, Emily J, Elizabeth, Charles N. He painted in both watercolours and oils.

The family lived at various addresses in or near Plymouth and Thomas Jr. married Esther Thomas in 1886, who tragically died in 1891, as well as their baby daughter Mary Louise, who was born in 1891. He did, however, have a son Alfred Cecil, born 1888. He was living alone as a widower in 1901 in a cottage in Newton Ferrers Village, Plympton St. Mary, but died in 1919 in St. Pancras, London.

Thomas Jr. exhibited 6 paintings at the Royal Society of British Artists between 1880 and 1889, but both father and son exhibited frequently in the West Country according to the British Newspaper Archive and one, or both of them, gave lessons in painting.

The painting is mounted in cream and is framed in a very nice oval gilt frame with ornate surmount. It will be supplied wired and ready to hang. Altogether a most attractive addition to any room.

Image size: 11 1/4" x 9 1/8" - 28.55cm x 23.15cm

Frame size: 21 1/4" x 15 1/4" - 54cm x 38.7cm

Medium: Watercolours

Condition: Very good. There is no foxing and the colours are strong and true. The frame is in very good condition with no losses or damage.