Henry John Boddington 1811-1865

Purchased from the Royal Academy exhibition in 1860 by the Art Union Prizewinner;
Christie's, 5 March 1971, lot 56

Royal Academy, 1860, no. 519

Jan Reynolds, The Williams Family of Painters, 1975, pp. 79, 83

Boddington was particularly accomplished at painting the effects of summer light on water. In his views of Wales, he demonstrated this quality beautifully; 'One of his most characteristic effects is the appearance of a warm day, with the sun just out of the picture, giving a filmy, hazy atmosphere to the painting, with the deep blue shadows adding greater value to the opposing tones of yellow. " The distant mountains are melting in vapoury sunlight. The artist is a master at this effect". Certainly this was one which Boddington frequently showed in his Welsh scenes, some of which attempt the grand manner, but his most typical feeling is to be found in a sturdy portrayal of the simple country activities of the valley.' (Jan Reynolds, The Williams Family of Painters, 1975, pg. 21)