Figures in a Ruined Moonlit Abbey
Original Oil Painting on Canvas
circle of Sebastian Pether (1790–1844)
- Painting - 61cm (24") x 51cm (20")
- Frame - 81cm (32") x 71cm (28")
Lot Notes
An extremely fine early 19th century oil painting on canvas depicting a moonlit abbey scene from the circle of Sebastian Pether. This is a painting of exceptional quality - the composition and detailing of the painting are wonderful, the atmospheric observation of the moonlight and it's effects are typical of Pether's finest works.
Condition
In very fine condition. The canvas not lined, torn, patched or repaired. Remaining in generally very good order and most attractive. Presented in what is perhaps it's original good quality mid 19th century wood and gilt composite frame, the frame is in good restored condition.
Artist Information
Sebastian Pether was a landscape painter, he was baptized on 31 August 1794 at St Luke's, Chelsea, the eldest son of Abraham Pether (1756–1812), landscape painter, and his wife, Elizabeth (d. in or after 1812). He was a pupil of his father and, like him, painted moonlight views and nocturnal conflagrations. The realism and preoccupation with colour harmonies in these works should have brought him success, but early in life the necessity of providing for a large family forced him into the hands of the dealers, who purchased his pictures for small sums for copying purposes, to which they readily lent themselves, and consequently they were rarely seen at exhibitions. In 1814 Pether sent to the Royal Academy View from Chelsea Bridge of the Destruction of Drury Lane Theatre, and in 1826 A Caravan Overtaken by a Whirlwind. The latter was a commission from Sir John Fleming Leicester, but as the subject was not suited to the painter's talent this solitary commission was of no real benefit to him. His life was one long struggle with adversity, which reached its climax when, in 1842, three pictures, which with the help of a frame-maker friend he had sent to the Royal Academy, were rejected. Pether resembled his father in his taste for mechanical pursuits, and is said to have suggested the idea of the stomach-pump to a surgeon named Jukes. He died, of consumption, at Battersea on 14 March 1844, on which date a subscription was raised for his family.
General Information
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Art has long been regarded as a strong and safe investment. Ellen Kelleher a personal finance reporter for The Financial Times recently wrote an article recommending art, particularly in the $500 - $50,000 range as a sound long term investment with an impressive current average annual increase of 9.7 percent. See Hang your investments on the wall by Ellen Kelleher Published October 22 2010 by the Financial Times.
About Us
Priory Fine Art specialises in high quality 17th - 20th Century British and European Fine Art. Our team have a combined experience of over 80 years in the field of fine art and have together handled the sale of many millions of pounds worth of art. As well as our own team of specialists we have close contacts from the leading auction houses who often assist us with particular pieces.
Postage and Packing
All of our paintings are professionally packaged in rigid hardboard boxes to ensure they reach you in pristine condition. Orders to the UK mainland are sent using a fully insured overnight courier service, orders to the rest of the World are sent on prompt and insured signed for services and are usually delivered within three working days.
Certificate of Authenticity
Every item we sell is fully guaranteed to be as described and a signed photo certificate is issued with every painting. We use the same cataloguing terms as most major auction houses, the terms that appear in the listing are also used on the certificates of authenticity. The cataloguing terms that we use have the following meanings;
- where the bold coloured text which forms the listing's heading reads 'by' and is followed by the artist's full name (or the artist's initials, if his full name is unrecorded), the work is in our opinion by the artist;
- where the expression "attributed to" is used, the work is in our opinion possibly a work by the artist, in whole or in part;
- where the expression 'circle of' is used, the work is in our opinion a work of the period of the artist and showing his influence;
- where the expression 'follower of' is used, the work is in our opinion a work executed in the artist's style but not necessarily by a pupil;
- where the expression 'manner of' is used, the work is in our opinion a work executed in the artist's style but of a later date;
- where the term "after" is used, the work is in our opinion a copy or pastiche (of any date) of a work by the artist. Where the term 'signed...' is used in our opinion the work has been signed by the artist, where the term 'with signature...' or 'bears signature...' is used in our opinion the signature is by a hand other than that of the artist.
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