Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely oil on board which we are attributing to the Northumberland artist BERNARD BENEDICT HEMY. The painting bears an indistrict monogram which appears to be BBH (see photograph) in the lower left hand corner. The painting depicts a maritime scene, with a small sailing vessel, with two crew aboard, heading out to sea. There is a choppy sea and both of the crew appear to be wearing oilskins. The vessel is twin masted. There is a flock of seagulls wheeling around the boat. There are cliffs in the distance.

It is our opinion that this is probably a later work, as his style has become more impressionist and there is some quite heavy impasto.

BERNARD BENEDICT HEMY 1855-1913, was a landscape painter in both oil and watercolour, who lived in North Shields, Northumberland and specialised in paintings of the North East coast. He was the brother of two other famous artists, CHARLES NAPIER HEMY 1841-1917 and THOMAS MARIE MADAWASKA HEMY 1852-1937. The family was also known for their musical talents and originated from Saxe Coburg Gotha.

Bernard, as well as his brothers, studied art at Newcastle School of Art under William Cosens Way and others. He exhibited at Suffolk Street in 1875 and 1877 and also in the North East and North West. His paintings are in several public collections i.e. The University of Hull Art Collection, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, The Laing Art Galery in Northumberland and a National Trust property, Cragside.

This artist is listed in The Dictionary of Victorian Painters by Christopher Wood and Painters in the Northern Counties of England and Wales by Professor Dennis Child.

Auctions results for works by this artist may be found at artprice.com (154 listings), arcadja.com (71), findartinfo.com (70) and askart.com (67). There is a wealth of information available on google.

The painting is framed in a 3 1/4" gilt frame and slip and is ready to hang.

Image size: 21 1/8" x 17" - 53.65cm x 43cm

Frame size: 28 1/4" x 23 1/4" - 70.7cm x 59cm

Medium: Oils on board

Condition: Very good. There is no damage, craquelure or paint loss and the surface is clean, although there is some softening to the extreme outer corners of the board, which is invisible behind the slip. The frame and slip are new.