Studio RT Ltd

Description

This is a wonderful oil painting on canvas by the renowned Northumberland artist George Blackie Sticks, who has signed the painting in the lower right hand corner and inscribed it verso Sunset on the Sutherland Coast. The painting depicts a view of a sea stack off the Sutherland Coast in the extreme north west of Scotland at sunset. There are many sea birds flying above the waves and on the top of the stack.

George Blackie Sticks 1843-c. 1900, was the most famous of the Sticks family of artists, which include his father James Sticks, 1813-?, his brother William Sticks, his brother Andrew James Sticks, his brother Henry Sticks 1845-1878, his nephews Harry Sticks 1867-1938 and William Sticks Jr., and his own sons George Edward Sticks 1864-1938 and Christian J. Sticks 1872-1912. We do not know the exact year of George Blackie's death, as it was not registered, but have found no painting dated after 1898 and we know that he was in poor health towards the end of his life, which restricted his paintings to relatively local views. Sadly it would appear that both of his sons died aged 40.

George Blackie Sticks was born in Newcastle, where he lived throughout his life, and trained as a stained glass designer in the factory of William Wailes, where other members of the family also worked. He studied painting under William Bell Scott at the Government School of Art in Newcastle before becoming a full time artist. He painted in oils, scenes of the North East, then Scotland and the Lake District and painted many scenes including castles.

He exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Royal Scottish Academy as well as in the provinces.

There are 13 of his paintings in the National Collection, which can be viewed at BBC - Your Paintings and is represented at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle, the Shipley AG in Gateshead, the Mercer AG in Harrogate, Mansion House in Newcastle, South Shields Museum and AG, Victoria AG, the Hatton Gallery and North Tyneside Council.

The painting is framed in its original 3 1/4" gilt frame and inscribed slip and will be supplied wired and ready to hang.

Image size 21 5/8" x 13 5/8" - 54.95cm x 34.95cm

Frame size 32 1/2" x 24 1/2" - 82.5cm x 62.2cm

Medium Oils on canvas

Condition Very good. The canvas is clean and taut and has no craquelure, paint loss or stretcher marks. The frame and slip are in good condition with only very minor wear consistent with age.