.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Although the exact location of this idyllic summer river landscape is unidentified, it is of a quiet stretch of the river Thames.
The Worcestershire born artist, Benjamin Williams Leader, first visited locations on the river Thames in 1872, when he stayed with fellow artist, Samuel Phillips Jackson (1830-1904), who lived at Streatley-on-Thames. Like Leader, Jackson was interested in the natural effects of atmospheric conditions, especially the effects of light reflected from water. Leader's first paintings of the Thames at Streatley date from this year (1872) and were to become part of his oeuvre throughout his long career. Other stretches of the Thames were also represented, such as scenes to the south of Streatley at Pangbourne, Whitchurch and Mapledurham, and to the north at Dorchester, Shillingford and Wallingford.
It is possible that this painting is an earlier study for a larger work, (26 x 42 in.), of the same scene dated '1879' in which Leader has made some detail changes. For example the initial cows taking a drink from the river were replaced by figures seated in the riverbank and in the foreground Leader has inserted figures fishing from a punt afloat amid the water lilies.
We would like to thank Ruth Wood for her help in preparing this catalogue entry and confirming the authenticity of the work.
The Worcestershire born artist, Benjamin Williams Leader, first visited locations on the river Thames in 1872, when he stayed with fellow artist, Samuel Phillips Jackson (1830-1904), who lived at Streatley-on-Thames. Like Leader, Jackson was interested in the natural effects of atmospheric conditions, especially the effects of light reflected from water. Leader's first paintings of the Thames at Streatley date from this year (1872) and were to become part of his oeuvre throughout his long career. Other stretches of the Thames were also represented, such as scenes to the south of Streatley at Pangbourne, Whitchurch and Mapledurham, and to the north at Dorchester, Shillingford and Wallingford.
It is possible that this painting is an earlier study for a larger work, (26 x 42 in.), of the same scene dated '1879' in which Leader has made some detail changes. For example the initial cows taking a drink from the river were replaced by figures seated in the riverbank and in the foreground Leader has inserted figures fishing from a punt afloat amid the water lilies.
We would like to thank Ruth Wood for her help in preparing this catalogue entry and confirming the authenticity of the work.