Old Master and British Works on Paper
Old Master and British Works on Paper
A Way of Life: The Collection of Barbara & Ernest Kafka
Francis Danby, A.R.A.
Sunset Across the Exe, Devon
No reserve
Lot Closed
July 6, 02:18 PM GMT
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
A Way of Life: The Collection of Barbara & Ernest Kafka
Francis Danby, A.R.A.
Wexford 1793 - 1861 Exmouth
Sunset Across the Exe, Devon
Oil on paper, laid onto card;
inscribed in ink in James Danby's hand: Francis Danby. A.R.A.
142 by 197 mm
by whom sold to the late owner, by 1988
In his 1988-9 exhibition catalogue entry, Francis Greenacre describes this work as follows: 'Perhaps the boldest and most immediate of the oil sketches this is a hasty, dramatic and personal record of an actual sunset. It has no likely relevance to any exhibition painting and confirms Danby's enduring enthusiasm for landscape.'1
Between 1847 and 1856 the artist lived at Rill Cottage on the northern side of Exmouth, on the hill looking over the River Exe. The view-point of the present work is likely to be a mile or so up river.
This work, like many oil sketches and drawings that remained in the artist's studio upon his death in 1861, is inscribed by Francis Danby's son James (1817-1875).
1. F. Greenacre, Francis Danby, 1793-1861, exh. cat., op. cit., pp. 122 & 123