Thomas Sidney Cooper R.A. 1803-1902

Thomas Agnew, Manchester
Samuel Ashton (1804-1860), of Hyde, near Manchester

London, Royal Academy, 1848, no.9

In the foreground, two cows lying down and another standing to the right, on the bank of a river. With part of a fence to the left and a group of cattle seen in the distant meadow to the right.

Waagen referred to the painting simply as Three Cows, ‘true, powerful, and clear’  (Vol.4, p.418). '.... a perfect gem of its kind - the subject is simply three cows grazing or ruminating in a slip of pasture on the banks of a river, fringed with sedges, dock leaves, and other wild plants, most exquisitely rendered, and, as well as the cattle, brilliant with the glow of sunset. A more delicious example of pure pastoral art was never produced by any painter, ancient or modern,’ (James Dafforne, p.135).

The sons and grandsons of successful farmers and cotton merchants, Samuel Ashton and his three brothers also entered the textile business. Noted for their fair-minded attitude towards their employees, the Ashtons of Hyde did much to improve both the working and living conditions of their mill workers.

When Samuel Ashton decided to form a picture collection in 1848, he relied almost exclusively on the advice of Thomas Agnew. Sunset, bought from Agnew's on 9 August 1848 for £315.00, is included in a list of Samuel Ashton's purchases between 1848 and 1856, (illustrated in Geoffrey Agnew’s history of the firm, opp.p.17). Ashton’s collection, which included a watercolour and one other oil by Cooper, passed on his death to his younger brother Thomas.

A pencil sketch of the composition, retained by Cooper as a reference to the picture.  It is inscribed on reverse 'Sunset, Royal Academy Exhibition 1848, 3ft.4in.x2ft.8in. For Mr Criswick, £157.10.0' (Westwood collection). Whether the painting was intended for Mr.Criswick but actually sold to Agnew, or whether there were two versions of this painting, is not known.

We are grateful to Kenneth Westwood for preparing this catalogue note.