Attrib John Scarlett Davis (1804-1845)- Early 19thC Watercolour Church Interior

Description

A beautiful early 19th Century watercolour church interior attributed to the accomplished artist, John Scarlett Davis (1804-1845). The scene shows delicate sunlight shafting through the stain glass window above the altar in a vaulted church. A woman kneels in prayer in the golden light. The subject matter and stylistic lighting is incredibly indicative of Davis' style with undeniably similar line work and composition. The painting is unsigned and handsomely presented in a very fine 19th Century gilt frame with reeded cove and beaded strap work, finished with a card mount. On wove.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including very minor discolouration. The frame has natural aging and small losses to the corners.

Size

32 x 23.5cm (12.6" x 9.3")
Framed Size: 57.5 x 47cm (22.6" x 18.5")

Artist Biography

John Scarlett Davis (1 September 1804 – 29 September 1845), or Davies, was an English landscape, portrait and architectural paint, and lithographer.
Davis was born in Leominster, the second of five children of James Davis, a silversmith and watchmaker. Scarlett was his mother's maiden name; she was a distant relation of James Scarlett, 1st Baron Abinger. At the age of eleven, Davis won an award from the local society for the encouragement of the arts. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools in London, and began exhibiting his works at the annual Royal Academy shows in 1825 (with the painting "My Den"). He last exhibited in London in 1844. He was influenced by the work of his contemporary, Richard Parkes Bonington.
Davis painted portraits, landscapes, and church interiors, and developed a distinctive speciality in painting the interiors of art galleries. His picture The Interior of the British Institution Gallery (1829) records a collection of Old Masters.
Davis painted scenes on the Continent during his travels there. In 1831 he had a commission from Lord Farnborough to paint an interior of the Vatican and of the Escurial. He was in Florence in 1834, where he painted the interior of the Uffizi Gallery, and in Amsterdam in 1841.
He died of pulmonary tuberculosis on 29 September 1845, at his London home, and was buried at All Souls, Kensal Green. He was aged just 41 years.