Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are pleased to offer this superb and large watercolour by the Bristol artist Reginald Smith RBA ARCamA RWA. His name is on the original slip, and it is signed to the lower left, partially under the slip, but just visible. Most of the works by this artist are particularly large, including the three oils that are in the National Collection, which may be viewed at ArtUK.org. The paintings themselves, are held at The Victoria Art Gallery in Bath, The Royal West of England Academy in Bristol and The Herbert AG & Museum in Coventry.

This is one of a pair of paintings by this artist and we will be listing the companion work shortly. They were both painted in 1904.

Please note that this artist should not be confused with the Yorkshire watercolourist Arthur Reginald Smith 1871-1934, as they are often confused by auction houses, online auction sites and on google. Reginald is often listed as born in 1870 and Arthur Reginald as dying in 1925. We have confirmed Reginald's birth and death dates in the Register.

The painting depicts a view of the sandy beach below very high cliffs, with rocky outcrops thrusting up out of the sand, as you can see from the lines of strata. There are rock pools and you can see the high watermark, where several figures seem to be searching or collecting things. The artist has entitled the painting on the pine chamferred backing board 'Left on the high waterline'. There are seabirds wheeling around the cliffs and a large pool on the sand, left by the retreating waves. It is very likely that this is a view of a Cornish cove, as he painted there many times.

Reginald Smith was actually born Sydney Reginald Smith but after about the early 1880s he seemed to drop the Sydney in favour of Reginald. He was the son of a Minister and was born in the third quarter of 1854 in Batheaston, Somerset, a small village some 2 miles from Bath. He married a Florence Marianne Smith (1855-1931 in Bath in 1880 and they had two children Olive and Allan. In the Census of 1881 they were living at 3 Oakfield Villas, Clifton, Bristol. By 1891, their residence was 47 Oakfield Road, Clifton and in 1901, they moved to 54 Pembroke Road, Clifton where they were to remain for at least 20 years, if not until their deaths. He must have been making a reasonable living as they always had one or two servants from the time of their marriage. Reginald died in Bristol in 1925 and Florence in 1931.

Reginald Smith exhibited 12 paintings at the Royal Academy, but mostly exhibited locally at The Royal Cambrian Academy and the Royal West of England Academy. Throughout the 1890s and possibly longer Frost and Reed had exhibitions of his paintings at their Galleries at 47 Queen's Road Bristol and, indeed, both of these paintings bear their label and are dated 15/12/04. He was created a Member of the Royal Society of British Artists in 1895 and was also a Member of the Royal West of England Academy and an Associate Member of the Royal Cambrian Academy. He painted in both oils and watercolours and principally marine and coastal views.

His biographical details are listed in The Dictionary of British Artists (Collectors' Club) and The Dictionary of Victorian Painters by Christopher Wood.

Due to the size of the watercolour, we have not mounted it, but have newly framed it in a very nice and substantial 2" rope design dark gilt frame over its original slip and glass. It will be supplied wired and ready to hang.

Image size: 27 1/8" x 18 1/2" - 6885cm x 47cm

Frame size: 33 1/8" x 24 1/2" - 84.1cm x 62.2cm

Medium: Watercolours on card

Condition: Very good. The colours and strong and true and there is no foxing. The slip is original with only minor rubbing to the gilding, the glass is original and good and the frame is new.