Lionel Percy Smythe (1839-1918) - 1891 Watercolour Walking in the Countryside

Description

An idyllic scene in watercolour by British artist Lionel Percy Smythe (1839-1918). The composition depicts a young girl and boy walking through a field, where sheafs of wheat lie in piles. A greyhound dog, which often feature in Smythe's work, stands alert on the lefthand side. Signed and dated to the lower right. Well presented in a gilt frame. On paper.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration and foxing to the paper. Light wear to the frame, including some chips to the corners.

Size

20 x 29cm (7.9" x 11.4")
Framed Size: 40 x 49.5cm (15.7" x 19.5")

Artist Biography

Lionel Percy Smythe (1839-1918) was a British painter and etcher, and the illegitimate son of Percy Clinton Sydney Smythe, 6th Viscount Strangford and Katherine Benham. He was educated at King’s College School and Heatherley's School of Fine Art, but also spent time in France with his stepfather, the artist William Morrison Wyllie. He was also the half brother of the artists William Lionel Wyllie and Charles William Wyllie. Smythe begun to exhibit his work regularly from 1860, including at the Royal Academy, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Dudley Gallery Art Society, Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, and Walker Art Gallery. He was elected a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1880, Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1883, Royal Watercolour Society in 1894 and Royal Academy in 1911. Examples of his work are in the collection at the Glasgow Museums, National Maritime Museum, Tate Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, and the William Morris Museum.