Attrib. David Muirhead ARA (1867-1930) - 1910 Watercolour An Essex Landscape

Description

A charming watercolour painting, attributed to the artist David Muirhead ARA, depicting a landscape view. Monogrammed to the lower left-hand corner. Inscriptions on the reverse read: 'David Muirhead (signed under mount). An Essex Landscape, 1910. Leicester Galleries' label on old frame'. Well-presented in a washline card mount and in an ornate, speckled gilt effect frame. On watercolour paper.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration and minor foxing. Small scuffs to the frame.

Size

19.8 x 27.7cm (7.8" x 10.9")
Framed Size: 40.1 x 47.2cm (15.8" x 18.6")

Artist Biography

Landscape and figure painter born in Edinburgh, son of an architect and master builder. Muirhead studied at the Trustees' School, Edinburgh, later known as the Royal Scottish Academy Schools and at the Westminster School of Art under Fred Brown. He was a prolific exhibitor showing at the Leicester Galleries, Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Royal Scottish Academy, Royal Watercolour Society, among others. He was a member of the New English Art Club and elected an Associate of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1924 and the Royal Academy of Arts in 1928. He was also a member of the lesser-known Society of Twenty-Five Painters and was a founder member of the National Portrait Society in 1911. A retrospective exhibition was held at the Chenil Gallery in 1907.
He took over teaching from Augustus John at Liverpool University’s School of Art and it is known that he was sympathetic to the progressive views of his students. As a young artist, he had struggled to establish himself in London because of his Impressionist style. Muirhead became an Honorary Member of the Sandon Studios Society showing with them on occasion and was also represented in the Venice Biennale of 1914, 1928 and 1930. Examples of his work are held in the collections of Aberdeen Art Gallery, Ashmolean Museum, Atkinson Art Gallery, Birmingham Museums Trust, Liverpool University Art Collection, National Museum of Wales, Manchester City Art Gallery, Tate Gallery, Usher Art Gallery, among others.