William Eyre (1891-1979) - Gouache, Ashness Bridge, near Keswick

£56.68

Description

A tranquil depiction of rural life in the beautiful Lake District, with a farmer and his faithful sheepdog herding a flock through the lush fields surrounding the shores of Derwentwater, just south of Keswick.

Eyre has used quick brushwork and very loose layers of gouache in creating this landscape, resulting in layers of contrasting greens to depict the every changing landscape of the Lake District. The artist has created a dark, atmospheric woodland to the left of the composition through heavily applied dark greens and browns, in contract to the lightly handled pale blues and pinks on the distant mountain to the right of the composition. Our eye is drawn to the water's edge by the pure whiteness of the sheep.

The painting is beautifully presented in a modern gilt frame with washline cream mount. Painted on watermarked wove paper.

Provenance: no. 54 in the James Harvey British Art catalogue

Unsigned.

Condition

Both the painting and its frame are in excellent condition.

Size

25.9 x 35.6cm (10.2" x 14")
Framed Size: 42.9 x 51.1cm (16.9" x 20.1")

Collection Information

Provenance: Many of the works in this collection were exhibited at the exhibition 'William Eyre: A Gentleman's Travels' by James Harvey at Mallett's, Chelsea, November 2008.

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Artist Biography

William Eyre (1891-1979) was a landscape painter of extraordinary talent who exhibited at the Croydon Art Society for the best part of twenty years, with the likes of Hesketh Hubbard, PRBA, ROI, FSA, Jack Merriott, RI, William Watkins, RI, William Fryer and Cicely Mary Barker.

In 1971, Eyre moved to North Wales where he remained for the rest of his life, however he still regularly contributed to the Croydon Art Society’s exhibitions, although he no longer put his works up for sale. His works record the myriad of places that he visited, not only in England but on the Continent, and cover all seasons, but it was the sublime landscapes of Northern Wales that proved to be his final and most haunting inspiration; he died there in 1979.

Eyre’s works show considerable skill in the handling of both oil and watercolour, two very different mediums, and his landscapes have even been likened to Whistler. His confidence, sense of drama and simplicity of technique has also drawn comparisons with Cotman and there is a clear link to be made with the work of Edward Seago, seen in the soft play of light across Eyre's coastal landscapes.

Our collection of watercolours and oils by Eyre includes stunning views of the artist’s beloved Welsh landscape, including Deganwy and Mawddasch Estuary. Other locations featured include Ludlow in Shropshire, Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, Woodbridge in Suffolk, Roundstone in Ireland, Windsor and many others. Most of the works are signed by the artist and titled and dated to the reverse. Many of these works were also exhibited at a special exhibition in November 2008 entitled 'William Eyre: A Gentleman's Travels' which was hosted by James Harvey British Art at Malletts in Chelsea.