Happy New Year everyone. We are starting the year off with a cold snap and snow here in the UK. The chickens aren't impressed at all. This beautiful wintery scene by George Houston seems the most appropriate of all our lovely paintings. Why not grab a warm drink and have a browse of the website for more wonderful paintings. 

George Houston (1869-1947)

Landscape with Stream

This gorgeous Edwardian Scottish oil painting is by noted Scottish artist George Houston. Painted circa 1910 and in portrait orientation, the composition is a winter's snowy landscape with a stream running vertically with a snowy field to the right and a wooded hill to the left. The viewer's eye is then drawn upwards to snowy hilly fields divided by hedges and trees with patches of blue sky on the horizon. There are footprints in the snow beside the stream, human and dog, but the landscape is quiet now. This is a beautiful winter painting with an amazing range of colours in the water and perfect depiction of the snow. The portrait orientation works well with the angle of the stream and is enhanced by a fabulous frame. An excellent example of Houston's work and of Scottish art.

Signed lower right. 

Click the link below for this painting.
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/george-houston/winter-landscape-with-stream

Richard Wilson (1714-1782)

Capriccio Tivoli Landscape

This lovely British 18th century Old Master landscape oil painting is attributed to circle of Richard Wilson. Painted circa 1770 it is a Capriccio Tivoli landscape with figures by a lake and castle ruins up on a wooded hill. In the foreground is a Roman Sarcophagus with ornate carved figures on its sides. The early evening light beautifully illuminates the scene and there is great sensitivity and detail. A superb British Old Master oil painting in good condition.

Unsigned. 

Provenance. Yorkshire estate. 

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/gallery/new/richard-wilson/capriccio-tivoli-landscape

William Somerville Shanks (1864-1951)

Anemones

This gorgeous Scottish thirties Impressionist floral oil painting is by noted Scottish artist William Somerville Shanks. Painted in 1937 the composition is of a bunch of pink, white and red anemones, casually lying on the paper they were wrapped in on a beautiful chair.  An umbrella rests against the chair to the right, gloves are also lying on the paper and a patterned scarf lies draped over the chair.  Rather than a static arrangement in a vase, we are seeing a story unfold, or the suggestion of one, such as someone has been out in the rain, bought these beautiful flowers and is probably looking for a vase to arrange them in while we, the viewer, enjoy them. The brushwork and impasto are superb as is the depiction of the contrast in textures. A lovely Scottish floral and an excellent example of Shank's work.

Signed lower left. 

Provenance. Exhibited at the Royal Glasgow Institute in 1937 no 88 entitle Anemones.
                     Label verso with artist details and title.
                     Bourlet label verso.

Click below for link to this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/gallery/new/william-somerville-shanks/anemones-1
 

Portrait of Infant John the Baptist with Lamb

This beautiful 18th century Italian Old Master oil painting is something rather special. Painted circa 1750 the subject matter is Saint John the Baptist as a very young child. He is seated,  wearing robes over one shoulder and a lamb lays next to him.  There is actually considerable similarity in their postures and appearances including the tilt of their heads, curly hair and protective limbs on each other, emphasising their innocence and the need for protection in the world. The clouds behind them suggest they are high up in the mountains. The tender detail in their faces and the palette of soft warm tones make this a staggeringly beautiful Italian Old Master oil painting one could gaze upon for ever.

Click below for link to this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/gallery/old-master/unknown/portrait-of-infant-john-the-baptist-with-lamb

Annie Louisa Swynnerton (1844-1933)

The Debutante

This superb late 19th century British Society portrait of a beautiful young debutante by Annie Louisa Swynnerton, founder of the Manchester Society of Women Painters along with Isabel Dacre. It is  signed and dated 1891. It has been suggested that the sitter is  Elsie Elizabeth Ebsworth later Mrs George Swinton. She was painted many times by John Singer Sargent. A stunning painting that was on loan from Richard Taylor Fine Art to Manchester Art Gallery for all of 2018 for their Swynnerton exhibition. The brushwork and delicate detail are superb. This is a fantastic painting and an excellent example of Swynnerton's work. 

Signed and dated lower right. 

Provenance. Corsham Court Wiltshire.
                     Manchester Art Gallery - Annie Swynnerton exhibition 2018.

Click the link below for this painting. 
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/annie-louisa-swynnerton/the-debutante

Click the link below for our other paintings by Swynnerton. 
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/annie-louisa-swynnerton