David Cox R.W.S.

William Quilter (1808-1888)
His sale, London, Christie's, 8 April 1875, lot 113;
Mr and Mrs J.H. Nettlefold (on loan to the Victoria & Albert Museum, by 1932);
By descent to Edward Nettlefold;
His Executor's sale, London, Christie's, 9 November 1945, to Wells;
with Agnew's, London, where bt. by the father of the present owner

Ventnor, Isle of Wight, Loan Exhibition of Water-Colour Drawings in Aid of the National Hospital for Consumption and Disease of the Chest, 1871;
London, Burlington Fine Arts Club, Exhibition of Water-Colour Drawings, 1871;
London, Royal Academy, The Winter Exhibition, 1873, no. 301; 
Liverpool, Walker Art Gallery, no. 74;
Liverpool, The Autumn Exhibition, 1933, no. 59

B. Long, The Old Water-Colour Society's Club, David Cox, 1932-1933, Tenth Annual Volume, p. 7, pl. VIII;
Apollo, November 1945, illustrated p. XIII

The colours have been very well preserved in this work. The paper has darkened very slightly but the balance of the composition has by no means been altered. There are two tiny foxmarks in the sky at the right hand side of the composition. The extreme edges of the sheet have darked, this is associated with the mount and can only be seen when the work is unframed. The work is laid down. Overall the preservation of the watercolour is very good.
"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."

The subject of the Hayfield was an important one for David Cox. Between 1813 and 1859 he exhibited variations on this theme at least twenty-seven times at the Society of Painters in Water-Colour's annual exhibitions.

In this impressive watercolour Cox successfully captures the wealth of activity taking place. A man on horse back, leads another horse down a track, while fixing his gaze upon a distant windmill. Behind him runs a small dog, which appears to be struggling to keep up. To the right, a group of five farm workers cut the hay, while a hay-cart and other labourers can be seen on the horizon.

The subject, set in flat, open country, has allowed Cox to concentrate on the depiction of wind, sun-light and scudding clouds. The hayfield appears in a constant state of motion, like a green and gold sea, whilst the presence of blue sky, white clouds and more threatening grey ones, gives the impression that a rain storm may be approaching. Cox has recorded these transient effects by applying the watercolour in a loose and dynamic fashion. This freedom is complimented by his elaborate use of stopping and scratching out. Cox's mastery of these techniques not only adds to the sense of realism, but also help to define the intricate details of the work.

William Quilter, the first owner of this watercolour, was a leading London accountant. He owned a notable collection of watercolours which was sold at Christie's on the 8^th April 1875. The present work achieved an astonishing sum of 259 guineas. The purchaser was Joseph Henry Nettlefold (1827-1881), a screw manufacturer from Birmingham. On his death Nettlefold left twenty-five pictures by David Cox to the Birmingham City Art Gallery. He bequeathed the present work to his wife Mary Maria Nettlefold, née Seaborne (b.1835), who in turn gave the picture to Edward Nettlefold. His sale, at Christie's in 1945, contained several other important watercolours and oil paintings by David Cox.