James Stark

Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 18 June 1971, lots 60 & 16, to Spencer for £1,300 and £2,200 respectively;
With the Polak Mandell Gallery, Jersey, where acquired by the late Lord Jersey;
George Francis Child Villiers, 9th Earl of Jersey (1910-1998);
Thence by descent to the present owners.

Jersey, St. Brelade, Hotel l'Horizon, Fine Paintings and Watercolours, 1976, no. 59.

The pictures are fresher in colour and lighter in tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest. Both are on single flat stable panels. The first, as illustrated at the top of the page in the catalogue, is in good overall condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint visible to the naked eye except for a very minor raise in the paint surface lower right and evidence of old scattered retouching in the sky as can be seen in the catalogue illustration. There is also retouching to old frame abrasion along the panel edges. Examination under ultraviolet reveals some further very minor scattered flecks of retouching in the sky and a mottled varnish overall. The second, as illustrated at the bottom in the catalogue, is in good overall condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint visible to the naked eye and the paint retains a nice impasto in the leaves. There are very minor scattered retouchings in the sky. Examination under ultraviolet confirms the presence of the retouchings and and reveals some further very minor retouches in the foreground. Ultraviolet also revelas a very old, well restored small area of damage in the trees above the white cow. Both pictures are in good overall condition. Offered in matching gilt wood and plaster frames in good condition.
"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."

Born in Norwich, James Stark trained under John Crome becoming affiliated with the Norwich School, the first provincial art movement in Britain. These works may have been done in conjunction with his 1834 publication The Scenery of the Rivers of Norfolk. Whitlingham is a small churchless parish hamlet located three miles east of Norwich on the south bank of the River Yare. Bramerton is likewise located on the south bank of the River Yare, four and three quarter miles south east of Norwich.