Circle of John Varley (1778-1842) - Framed Early 19th Century Watercolour Lake

Description

A very fine watercolour landscape in the style of esteemed painter and astrologer John Varley (1778-1842). Presented in a 19th-century gilt frame with beaded detailing to the inner window. The painting bears the artist signature to the lower-right edge, but we do not believe this to be by thee John Varley (1778-1842). On paper.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including even discolouration and foxing to the watercolour. There are two closed tears to the lower edge of the paper and light wear to the gilt frame.

Size

24.5 x 35cm (9.6" x 13.8")
Framed Size: 46 x 56.5cm (18.1" x 22.2")

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Artist Biography

John Varley (1778-1842) was an English watercolour painter and astrologer, and a close friend of William Blake (1757-1827). They collaborated in 1819-1820 on the book 'Visionary Heads', written by Varley and illustrated by Blake. He was the elder brother of a family of artists: Cornelius Varley, William Fleetwood Varley, and Elizabeth, who married the painter William Mulready. John Varley was born at the Old Blue Post Tavern, Hackney, on 17 August 1778. His father, Richard Varley, born at Epworth in Lincolnshire, had settled in London after the death of his first wife in Yorkshire. His parents discouraged his leanings towards art and placed him under a silversmith.


On the death of his parents, Varley was for a brief time employed by a portrait painter in Holborn and then, at the age of 15 or 16, he became a pupil of Joseph Charles Barrow (fl. 1789-1802) who had an evening drawing school twice a week at 12 Furnival's Inn Court, Holborn. It was Barrow who took Varley on a sketching tour to Peterborough from which he emerged as a professional painter. In 1798 he exhibited a highly regarded sketch of Peterborough Cathedral at the Royal Academy and became a regular exhibitor at the RA until the foundation of the Old Watercolour Society in 1805.