Attributed to Charlotte Nasmyth

Possibly Raymond Richards, M.A., F.S.A. (1906–1978);

Possibly by whom sold, London, Christie's, 16 February 1951, lot 38 (as circle of Nasmyth, 'A Woody Landscape', sold as a pair), for £8.0s.0d. to Hupsaw;

Private collection, UK;

Acquired by the father of the present owner and thence by descent.

This intimate and minutely observed landscape is likely to have been painted by Charlotte Nasmyth (1804–1884), one of eleven children of the celebrated Scottish painter Alexander Nasmyth (1758–1840). Charlotte's and her sisters' landscapes, which do bear their own distinctive characteristics from their father's, were much applauded during their careers. At the Royal Scottish Academy's Exhibition in 1858 reports described that:

'Amongst the landscape painters there are some of the fair sex who hold no mean rank amongst the contributors to this exhibition. The Misses Nasmyth have sent some very graceful specimens of their talent... Charlotte Nasmyth, is a little gem, faithfully representing a scene English in its minutest incidents.'¹

Charlotte's landscapes are notable for their softer treatment of light and the foliage the trees. Her works also show a predilection for sandy paths embellished with figures, features and traits which feature in this example.

¹ Anon., 'Royal Scottish Academy's Exhibition', in Caledonian Mercury, 3 April 1858, p. 3.