Walter Westley Russell 1867-1949)
| Artist Name | Walter Westley Russell 1867-1949) |
|---|---|
| Title | Sunset Coastal Landscape |
| Description | This lovely British Impressionist landscape oil painting is by noted Royal Academician artist Sir Walter Westley Russell CVO, RA. As a landscape painter he painted mainly in Yorkshire, Norfolk and Sussex but this location is thought to be in Scotland. Painted circa 1930, the view is looking down and across cliffs or rocks towards a stretch of water - either the sea or a loch with land in the distance. Some little boats are in the middle ground. The whole scene is bathed in the most beautiful light as the sun begins to set, illuminating both the sky and little clouds and the water and rocks below. The painting is about light rather than location and Russell has perfectly captured the light in all areas and aspects of this painting with strong, confident brushwork and impasto and use of white. The more one looks at this painting the more engaging it becomes. This is a fine example of Russell's work and a lovely British Impressionist landscape. A work entitled Headland was exhibited at the New England Art Club as number 102 in 1910, we believe this is that work. Signed lower right. |
| Provenance | T Annan and Sons Glasgow. |
| Medium | Oil on Canvas |
| Size | 36 x 28 inches |
| Frame | Housed in an ornate gilt frame, 43 inches by 35 inches, in good condition. |
| Condition | Good condition. |
| Biography | Sir Walter Westley Russell CVO RA (1867-1949) was a British painter and art teacher. He became a member of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1926 and served as Keeper of the Royal Academy Schools from 1927 to 1942. Russell was born in Forest Gate, Essex, in 1867 and studied at the Westminster School of Art under Professor Frederick Brown. He exhibited five works at the Royal Academy between 1891 and 1904, including The Pierrots, Tea Time and a portrait. He exhibited at New English Art Club from 1893. He was a teacher and then Assistant Professor at the Slade School of Fine Art between 1895 and 1927. As a landscape painter he worked mainly in Yorkshire, Norfolk and Sussex. He also painted portraits and genre pictures. He was one of 150 artists chosen to represent Britain at the 1912 Venice Biennale Exhibition. His work was also part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1928 Summer Olympics. During World War I, he was a lieutenant in the Royal Engineers and was mentioned in dispatches. He was elected an Associate Member of the Royal Academy on 22 April 1920, becoming a full Academician on 23 February 1926 and a Senior Academician on 1 January 1943. He served as Keeper of the Royal Academy Schools from October 1927 (he was appointed at the General Assembly on 28 June 1927), leading the school through a period when it was abolishing the Visitor system in favour of permanent staff. He retired in 1942, becoming Honorary Keeper from Michaelmas Day until the end of the year. He also became a member of the Society of Painters in Water Colours in 1930 and was a trustee of the National Gallery (appointed in 1927) and of the Tate Gallery (appointed 1934). Russell was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1931, and was knighted in 1935. He married Lydia Burton (1881–1944) in 1900 and they had no children. He died at his home in Kensington, London in 1949. |
| Price | £3600 |
