Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely watercolour of the Langdale Valley with a Rainbow, by the artist Hubert Coutts, who has signed the painting H. Coutts to the lower right and entitled it Langdale Valley in ink on the back of the paper. This would date the painting to after 1892 when he changed his name from Hubert Coutts Tucker and before 1912, when he was elected a Member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour. The painting depicts a view down into the Langdale Valley after rain with an extremely well executed rainbow to the left. Hubert Coutts was known not only for his landscapes, but for his skies and cloud effects.

Hubert Coutts, was born Hubert Coutts Tucker in Clapham, London, then Surrey, in 1851, the third son of Edward Tucker Senior and brother to Edward Tucker Junior, Arthur Tucker, Frederick Tucker all artists and Alfred Robert Tucker Bishop of Uganda, who also painted. Presumably he changed his name to avoid confusion with other members of his family, although he was exhibiting under Hubert Tucker from 1874. He exhibited widely in the provinces including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester as well as at the Royal Academy (74 works), Royal Scottish Academy (11) and the Royal Institute (55 watercolours).

Although born in Clapham, by 1861, the family were living in Clifton, Bristol and by 1871 they had moved to Kendal in the Lake District. By 1881, Hubert and his brother Arthur, who was a student artist, were living with 2 servants at Woodlands, Rydal & Loughrigg, Kendal.

In 1892 he married Mary Ann Wrigley. By 1901 the couple were living at Hammarbank, Windermere a very large house which they had extended in 1897 with their three children Allan aged 8, Dorothy 6, and Marjorie 4 and 5 servants. (Hammarbank is now a hotel). By the Census of 1911, they were still at the same address and his mother Julia Tucker had joined them after the death of Edward Tucker Senior. There was plenty of room, as the house had 23 rooms, including the kitchen, but not including bathrooms or the hall.

Hubert Coutts was a Magistrate for many years, the President of North Westmorland Liberal Association, as well as being a founder member of the Lake Artist's Society and their President from 1904 to 1921, when he died. His death was sudden and actually occurred in a branch of W. H. Smith & Son where he was making a purchase on 8th December, 1921. His obituary appeared in several newspapers in the area, but in the Penrith Observer of 13th December, 1921, it stated that as well as his artistic talents, he had been a great rugby player in his earlier years and had played rugby for Ambleside and, with his brother the Bishop Tucker of Uganda, had made the record climb of Sca Fell, Bow Fell, Helvellyn and Skiddaw in 19 hours.

He is listed in the Dictionary of British Artists (Collectors' Club), the Dictionary of British Artists by Grant Waters, the Dictionary of Victorian Painters by Christopher Wood and the Dictionary of British Watercolour Artists by Mallalieu.

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

Image size: 12 5/8" x 11 1/8" - 32cm x 28.25cm

Frame size: 20 3/8" x 18 3/8" - 51.75cm x 46.65cm

Medium: Watercolours

Condition: Very good. The colours are bright and there is no foxing or fading. The mount and frame are in very good condition.