Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are offering for sale this lovely, very well executed watercolour by the artist JAMES WALTER GOZZARD, who has signed the painting in the lower right hand corner and entitled it 'The Towing Path' in the lower left. Verso, he has written in Darbyshire (sic). The painting has been executed in fine detail and depicts a woman leading a heavy-built, grey horse that is towing a covered barge along a canal or river. there is a small flock of sheep on the opposite bank near to a cottage surrounded by trees.

As J. W. Gozzard did not exhibit his work, he is not listed in our usual reference books, but there is considerable information about him in Jeremy Wood's excellent book 'Hidden Talents'. To quote -

'Painter and illustrator in oil and watercolour of rural landscapes. Born in Lichfield, Staffs in 1888, J. W. Gozzard was a prolific illustrator whose work was reproduced as both prints and postcards. He produced a series of Scottish views in watercolour that were published by Valentines in Dundee, some street scenes published by William McKenzie and some rural landscapes published by Philco in London. In addition to the postcards, a large number of prints were made of his work in both black and white and colour that were available up to the First World War.

J. W. Gozzard does not appear to have exhibited either in London or the provinces. His watercolour was often heightened with bodycolour and his precise style made the work very suitable for reproduction. His larger works were usually signed in full whereas the smaller studies were often initialled. Some of the work was signed with a pseudonym 'F. Arnold'. '

An illustration of one of his works appears on Page 61 of this book.

Auction results for works by this artist may be seen at artprice (96 listings), artnet (49), findartinfo (58) and arcadja (50). He is frequently listed in Hislop's Guide to the UK Art Market.

The painting is mounted with washlines and is framed in a 3/8" reeded gilt frame. It will be supplied wired and ready to hang.

Image size 14 3/4" x 11 1/2" - 37.5cm x 29.2cm

Frame size 21 5/8" x 18 1/4" - 54.9cm x 46.3cm

Medium Watercolours heightened with bodycolour.

Condition Excellent condition with no foxing or fading. The mount and frame are in good condition.