This bucolic watercolour view of the Kent coastline with sheep grazing is typical of Thomas Sidney Cooper. The artist was born in Canterbury and used his home county on many occassions in his paintings. However, depictions of the coastline are rare amongst his oeuvre making this an interesting composition.
Although primarily remembered as a painter in oil, Sidney Cooper was equally adept as both a watercolourist and lithographer. Kenneth Westwood writes extensively on the artist's watercolours and pencil drawings with the period between 1859 and 1863 being his most productive period. [1] Westwood also says that 'the great majority of [Sidney Cooper's] watercolour compositions are peacful meadow scenes' and often included sheep - both of which are the case in our work. [2]
This work is included in Kenneth Westwood's catalogue raisonné on Sidney Cooper with the title 'Coastal Pastures'.
Medium: watercolour on paper, signed l.l. 'T Sidney Cooper 1864', 43.1 x 29.2 cm, framed.
Condition report: some time fading and a few small bumps on the antique frame.
References:
[1] Westwood, K.J., Thomas Sidney Cooper C.V.O., R.A., His Life and Work, (David Leathers Publishing, 2011), see Vol. 1, pp.128-130.
[2] Ibid., p.129.
Provenance:
Lawrence Fine Art, Crewkerne, 3 April 1986, lot 136 (illustrated in catalogue).
Literature:
Westwood, K.J., Thomas Sidney Cooper C.V.O., R.A., His Life and Work, (David Leathers Publishing, 2011); Catalogue no. D.1864.11.
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