Lot 208
  • 208

THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH, R.A. | Wooded landscape with peasants resting, and a distant cottage

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • Thomas Gainsborough
  • Wooded landscape with peasants resting, and a distant cottage
  • oil on canvas
  • 35.6 x 30.6 cm.; 14 x 12 in.

Provenance

Joshua Kirby (1716–74);
The Rev. Henry Scott Trimmer;
His posthumous sale, London, Christie's, 17 March 1860, lot 51, for £15–4s–6d. to Rutley;
G.A.F. Cavendish Bentinck, M.P. (1821–91);
His posthumous sale, London, Christie's, 8–18 July 1891, 4th day, lot 549, for £52–10s–6d. to Gooden;
Thence by inheritance to the present owner.

Exhibited

London, Royal Academy, Winter Exhibition, 1890, no. 4.

Condition

The painting has a firm lining and the surface is quite flat, however there is no sign of extant damage or loss of paint. The pigments remain strong, however, and there is a dirty and discoloured old varnish overall. There is visible old retouching to craquelure in the sky examination under ultraviolet light reveals further minor retouching to the inner stretcher bar mark down the right side and three small damages in the lower section of the picture.
"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

Another version of this composition is recorded in John Hayes' catalogue raisonné of the artist's work, and dated circa 1748–50.1 We are grateful to Hugh Belsey, who supports the attribution to Gainsborough following first-hand inspection, and notes that it was not unusual for the artist to produce multiple versions of his compositions early in his career. The upper right sky, lower right landscape, and the seated figure leaning backwards towards the viewer are especially typical of the artist's technique from this period.  1 J. Hayes, The Landscape Paintings of Thomas Gainsborough, 1982, vol. II, pp. 355–56, cat. no. 27, reproduced p. 356, fig. 27.