The Brook 'I chatter, chatter, as I flow, To join the brimming river, For men may come and men may go, But I go on forever.' Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892), The Brook

Details

George Vicat Cole, R.A. (British, 1833-1893)
The Brook
'I chatter, chatter, as I flow,
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on forever.'

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892), The Brook
signed and dated 'Vicat Cole 1862' (lower right)
oil on canvas
35¾ x 48 in. (90.8 x 121.9 cm.)
Painted in 1862

Provenance

with E. Stacy Marks, Eastbourne Sussex.
Private Collection, London.
Anonymous sale, Christie's, London, 18 March 1988, lot 135.
with Michael Appleby, London.
Anonymous sale, Sotheby's, London, 27 March 1996, lot 70.
Acquired at the above sale by the present owner.

Exhibited

Possibly London, Royal Society of British Artists, 1862, no. 90.

Lot Essay

The son of the painter George Cole (1810-1883), George Vicat was born in Portsmouth in 1833. He sent his first pictures to London for exhibition in 1852 and he exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1853-1892. His work was highly popular and Jeremy Maas considered that he 'achieved almost the popular success of Leader, and was capable of grand effects'. His studio sale was held at Christie's, 16 June 1893.

His subjects were taken from England, Wales and Scotland and the present work is most probably a Welsh scene. From 1860-66 Cole worked almost exclusively out of doors painting en plein air. He was inspired by the work of the Pre-Raphaelites and passages within the present work which are highly detailed clearly show the influence of this group.

We are grateful to Stephen Furniss for his assistance in the preparation of this catalogue entry.

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