Frederick Henry Henshaw (1807-1891) - Mid 19th Century Oil Wharfedale

Description

A very fine landscape depicting the Wharfedale Valley in the Yorkshire Dales. Two figures rest with their cattle to the right side of the foreground within the compositional frame of an abundance of leaves. The eye of the viewer is channelled from an elevated perspective along the River Wharfe which winds towards Bolton Abbey. Behind the Abbey, rolling hills stretch into the distance. Presented in the original frame with crown glazing. The moulding of acanthus leaf and floral strapwork is particularly well-crafted with exceptional depth. There is a gilt slip with the title and name of the artist inscribed at the centre. Signed to the lower-left corner of the painting. On canvas on stretchers.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some minor surface dirt, craquelure, and discolouration to the varnish. There is some slight dirt trapped beneath the glazing at the lower edge. There have been some small restorations to the moulding at the outer edge of the frame but the strapwork remains intact and stable. Overall beautifully presented and in very good condition.

Size

31.3 x 47cm (12.3" x 18.5")
Framed Size: 57.3 x 72.6cm (22.6" x 28.6")

Artist Biography

Frederick Henry Henshaw (1807-1891) was an artist who produced landscapes, architectural subjects, portraits, and figures. He was a pupil of the artist Joseph Vincent Barber (1788-1838). Henshaw found inspiration in the countryside paintings of Constable, he often painted English woodland which was being subsumed by the development of industry and modern farming. In order to find subjects for his brush and pencil work, Henshaw traveled in the United Kingdom and Europe, touring Italy in 1838.

Henshaw was a member of the Birmingham Society of Arts (now known as the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists), joining at the age of nineteen in 1826. Furthermore, he became honorary secretary of the society from 1842-1847 and went on to be honorary treasurer and a trustee until the end of his life in 1891.

From 1829-1864, Henshaw was a constant exhibitor at the Royal Academy. He was born and lived in Harborne, before moving to the Birmingham suburb of Small Heath from 1840 until his death. He occasionally collaborated with fellow Birmingham landscape artist Robert John Hammond. Paintings by Henshaw can be seen in the collections of Birmingham Museums Trust, the National Trust, and the Government Art Collection.

Location

Bainbridge, Leyburn, England, United Kingdom, DL8 3EL