John Linnell, R.A.

By descent within the artist's family until,

David Linnell, the artist's great-grandson,

By whom given to the present owner, 2011

This atmospheric oil study was likely painted by Linnell sometime after 1853 and post his move from London to Redstone Wood in Surrey. This move to the country coincided with Linnell's extreme popularity and leading art dealers, such as William Agnew, would often visit him there in order to commission pictures. Linnell was in the habit of creating sketches, such as the present work, in order to demonstrate ideas for larger pictures.