James Lawton Wingate (1846-1924) - Early 20th Century Oil The Woodcutters

Description

This fine oil study depicts woodcutters hard at work in a forest setting. Painted in the artist's signature impressionist style capturing the idyllic British countryside. Using a muted colour palette, Wingate gives the scene a soft haze, creating a sense of tranquillity in observing the methodical nature of the woodcutter's work. Signed to the lower left. Presented us a gilt frame with c-scrolling and foliate details. On canvas on stretchers.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration. There is some craquelure to the surface.

Size

39 x 49cm (15.4" x 19.3")
Framed Size: 53.5 x 64cm (21.1" x 25.2")

Artist Biography

James Lawton Wingate (1846-1924) was born in the Kelvinhaugh district of Glasgow. Wingate who received no formal art training did not take up painting seriously until his mid-twenties having previously worked as a clerk in a local office. Initially, he was influenced by Ruskin and the Pre-Raphaelites and first exhibited in 1864 at the Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts. In 1867 he spent six months travelling in Italy, sketching in watercolour. Back in Edinburgh in 1867, he attended a few life classes at Edinburgh College of Art. Many of his paintings feature vast expanses of landscape with changing weather patterns and vivid cloud formations. He exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy and was elected a member in 1886 and acted as President, 1919-23. He also exhibited at Agnew's, Aitken & Dott, Barbizon House, Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, Royal Academy, Royal Hibernian Academy and at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.

His work can be seen in the public collections of Aberdeen Art Gallery, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, City of Edinburgh Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh University Art Collection, the Dick Institute, Fife Council, Glasgow Museums, Hunterian, McLean Museum and Art Gallery, McManus Galleries and Museum, National Gallery of Scotland, Paisley Art Gallery, Perth & Kinross Council and Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum. Wingate was knighted in 1919 and died in Edinburgh. His daughter was also a paint and she exhibited under her maiden name of Helen Ainsley Wingate and as a married woman Helen Ainsley Thornton.