Lot 129
  • 129

William Davis

Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
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Description

  • William Davis
  • Old Farm Shed near Birkdale
  • signed l.r.: W. DAVIS; titled, signed and dated on the reverse: Old Farm Shed/ near Birkdale/ W Davis/ Jno Miller/ ptd about/ 1852
  • oil on board
  • 32.5 by 50cm., 12¾ by 19¾in.

Provenance

Possibly John Miller, Liverpool;
Peter Nahum, London, December 1994

Condition

The board appears sound, some surface dirt and few frame abrasions along lower edge; otherwise work appears in good overall condition. Utraviolet light reveals some retouchings top right corner and possibly to tree near centre. Held in gilt composition frame.
"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."

Catalogue Note

William Davis was predominantly a landscape painter associated with the Pre-Raphaelites. He helped to organise Pre-Raphaelite exhibitions in Liverpool and was friendly with Hunt, Rossetti, Brown and Boyce (see lot 128).

Born in Dublin and a student of the Dublin Academy, Davis moved to Liverpool and fully integrated himself to life in the north of England - the present work situated in Birkdale, just outside Sheffield. Davis joined the Liverpool Academy and was kept occupied by a number of Liverpool patrons such as George Rae and John Miller; an inscription on the reverse suggests that the present picture was painted for Miller. Several fine Pre-Raphaelite landscapes by him are in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. They share a combination of sharply rendered detail and Romanticism of mood, as felt in the present work.