William Sidney Cooper (1854-1927)

Sheep by a Loch

This stunning large British Victorian Scottish landscape oil painting is by noted Kent artist William Sidney Cooper. William trained with his great-uncle Thomas Sidney Cooper at his School of Art in Canterbury. Painted in 1899 when the artist was 45 years old, the composition is a herd of long horn sheep walking towards the artist/viewer on a path beside a Scottish loch. The shepherd is behind the sheep and beyond him rise mountains under a blustery sky, all beautifully reflected in the loch. The vantage point is quite low, so the sheep appear as if they are about to walk into your sitting room! The gold tones of the sheep are echoed in the surrounding landscape and beautiful gold frame the work is housed in. The details in the sheep's soft shaggy coats, contrasted with their amazing long and some curly horns is superb. In contrast, the landscape features are more impressionist blocks of colour, all with incredible dramatic effect. This is a simply stunning British Victorian animal landscape oil painting and a lovely example of Cooper's work.

Signed and dated W. Sidney Cooper 1899 lower left

Provenance Sale, Christie's Edinburgh, 26th October 2006, lot 48
Purchased at the above sale

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https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/gallery/new/cooper-1/sheep-by-a-loch

William Stewart MacGeorge (1861-1931)

My Lady's Train

This superb Scottish Edwardian Impressionist exhibited figurative landscape oil painting is by noted artist William Steward MacGeorge. It was painted in 1901 and exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy that year entitled My Lady's Train. The composition is a group of young girls beside a river under trees.  Some are fishing, a couple are further up the path, two are tending a little fire, one blowing on it. The star of the show is standing in the foreground with a beautiful red patterned shawl wrapped around her, trailing the ground behind her - hence the title My Lady's Train. She's obviously putting on a little performance as she clasps the shawl to her chest and looks back over her shoulder and two of the girls are watching her and laughing. The red of her shawl is echoed both left and right in a friend's hat, the basket cloth and in flowers on the path, probably poppies. The other girl’s dresses are vivid pops of green, blue and yellow. The Scottish Impressionist brushwork and distinct MacGeorge style make this an absolute masterpiece and a first-class example of his work.

 Signed lower right.

Provenance Exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy 1901 no. 145 entitled My Lady's Train and illustrated on page 119 of catalog.
Sotheby's August 2003 - sold for £28,000 + buyers premium.

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/gallery/new/macgeorge/my-ladys-train

Are you growing sweet peas? They have the mostly heavenly scent and the more you pick the more they flower. Why not grab these sweet peas and gorgeous frame to have all year round flowers to brighten any room. 


Gerald Spencer Pryse (1882-1956)

Sweet Pea Flowers

This superb Vibrant British Post Impressionist floral oil painting is by noted artist Gerald Spencer Pryse. Painted circa 1930 the composition is a mass of sweet pea flowers in shades of pink, completely filling the canvas. The brushwork is superb with heavy impasto in the range of pinks and greens. A really gorgeous, lush painting and an excellent example of Pryse's work.

Provenance  From the artist's estate.

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/gallery/floral/pryse/sweet-pea-flowers
 

Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (att)

Portrait of a Gentleman

This superb British 18th century Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed to Thomas Hudson. Painted circa 1750 it is a three-quarter length standing portrait of a gentleman in a landscape. He is dressed in a dark blue coat that is undone, with gold braid and buttons. His right hand on his hip shows off his long silver undercoat to great effect as he gazes at the artist/viewer. The details of his face and the texture of his clothing are superb. This is a fantastic 18th century portrait oil painting, the colours still vibrant.
 
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https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/hudson/portrait-of-a-gentleman-2













Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (att)

Portrait of a Lady with White Gloves

This charming British 18th century Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed to noted portrait artist Thomas Hudson. Hudson was most prolific between 1740 and 1760 and, from 1745 until 1755 was the most successful London portraitist. On studying his work, this painting bears strong similarities to Barbara Bagot/Mrs Sneyd, see below. Painted circa 1750 this is a three quarter length standing portrait of a lady with classical figures behind her. She is dressed in a silk dress with pink bodice and a straw hat. Of interest is that the sitter is in the process of either putting on or taking off her gloves as she gazes at the artist/viewer with a slight smile. It was probably their direct contact with the skin that led to the eroticism of gloves. Not only were pairs often exchanged between lovers, but from the 16th to the 18th centuries, it was common practice to remove one glove and give it as a gift to a favourite. Besides the symbolism of the gloves, there is lovely detail and brushwork in her dress and facial features making this a superb example of an 18th century Old Master oil painting.

Barbara Bagot (1725 - abt. 1796) was the daughter of Walter Bagot and Barbara Legge. She was baptised on 15 Apr 1725 in Blithfield, Staffordshire, England. She married Ralph Sneyd on 17 Apr 1750 at St Martin in the Fields, Westminster, Middlesex, England.

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/hudson/portrait-of-a-lady-with-white-gloves

 

International Respect for Chickens Day is observed on May 4, 2026, to promote compassion, awareness, and humane treatment of chickens worldwide. This is a day close to our hearts at Richard Taylor Fine Art as we have rescue hens, ourselves. They are ex commercial hens that would have gone to slaugher at 17 months but, if lucky enough to be rehomed, go on to enjoy retirement and a life of freedom instead. 

International Respect for Chickens Day is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about the welfare, intelligence, and cognitive complexity of chickens. It encourages people to treat chickens with respect, recognize their social and emotional capacities, and advocate for more humane farming practices. The day also promotes the benefits of a plantbased or vegan lifestyle,   highlighting alternatives to using chickens for food.  Chickens and indeed Cockerels, the male bird often killed at birth as they dont lay eggs, are highly intelligent  and social animals. They can recognize over 100 individual faces, communicate with at least 24 distinct vocalizations, and even demonstrate problem-solving skills and empathy. Despite this, billions of chickens are raised annually in industrial farming conditions that often involve overcrowding, debeaking without anesthesia, and limited mobility. The day emphasizes that chickens are not merely food sources but sentient beings deserving of respect and ethical consideration.


Andrew Law (1873-1967)

Portrait of a Cockerel in a Barn

This absolutely lovely Scottish oil painting is by noted animal artist Andrew Law. Painted circa 1920, the composition is of a cockerel in a barn, stood by an empty silver dish. This handsome fella is a Rhode Island Red, like in the old Kellog’s advert.  His large red comb and wattles are magnificent. His plumage is beautifully depicted with the dark curly feathers of his tail and some iridescent green feathers under the bright orange on his back and more golden feathers on his shoulders. One can clearly see his spurs on his legs and the detail of the scales. His colours stand out beautifully against the dark of the barn and in contrast to the smooth, shiny surface of his food dish. If you like cockerels this is for you, a super Scottish animal oil painting and an excellent example of Law's work. It was an exhibited work at Glasgows Paisley Art Institute. 

Signed lower right.

Provenance Paisley Art Institute label verso.

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/andrew-law/portrait-of-a-cockerel-in-a-barn