William Turner of Oxford

Edward Swinburne (1765-1847);
The Rev. E.P. Baker F.S.A.;
with The Society of Antiquaries, London;
Their sale Sotheby's London, 19 November 1981, lot 192;
with Michael Bryan, London

 

London, Old Water-Colour Society, 1808, no. 227

J. Landseer, The Review of Publications in Art, 1808, p. 288;
M. Hardie, 'William Turner of Oxford', The Old Water-Colour Society's Club 1931-1932, Ninth Annual Volume, pp. 2,13

The colours have faded slightly in this watercolour but this has not affected the power or drama of the composition. There are darker areas of pigment at the extreme edges of the sheet, where the sheet has not been exposed to the light. The paper has also discoloured very slightly. The sheet has not been laid down. For further information on this lot please contact either Mark Griffith-Jones (0207 293 5083) or Emmeline Hallmark (0207 293 5407) mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com emmeline.hallmark@sothebys.com
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This dramatic watercolour was one of three works which the artist chose to exhibit at his first exhibition at the Old Watercolour Society in 1808. John Landseer (c. 1763-1852), the father of Sir Edwin Landseer, viewed the exhibition and concluded that `by the dint of his superior art he [Turner of Oxford] has rolled such clouds over these landscapes and has given to a flat country an equal grandeur with mountain scenery, while they fully account for the striking and natural effects of light and shade which he has introduced. His colouring is grave, subdued, and such as properly belongs to landscapes of a majestic character.'

In this work Turner of Oxford paints a powerful and dramatic landscape, swept with wind and an approaching storm, such watercolours by the artist rarely appears on the open market today.