Items Similar to Henry Towneley Green, An Interesting Read, Watercolour
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Henry Towneley GreenHenry Towneley Green, An Interesting Read, Watercolour1875
1875
About the Item
This late 19th-century watercolour by English artist Henry Towneley Green (1836-1899) depicts two smartly attired gentlemen immersed in a fascinating book within a study interior. The outfits date to circa 1780 and the shoes are a feast for the eyes.
Henry Towneley Green was known predominantly for his illustrations in various magazines including ‘Once a Week’ and the ‘Cornhill Magazine’. He remains underrated as a draughtsman but clearly possessed extraordinary ability. While researching this piece, we discovered several letters by Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) extolling his virtues.
In 1882 in a letter to friend and fellow artist Anthon Gerard Alexander van Rappard (1858-1892) he wrote: “I’ve found another two woodcuts for you, one by Miss Edwards and one by Green. The latter is particularly fine: a painter working on a shop sign while people watch, in the age of Louis xvi.”
He’s probably referring to a wood engraving produced for a magazine or newspaper.
In 1883, again to Rappard, he wrote:
“I can tell you that I’ve found an uncommonly beautiful print by T. Green, the brother or something of C.G. It’s a party at the Foundling Hospital in London, a sort of orphan girls at the table. Oh, you’ll be in raptures over it. Also by him a smaller ‘A city congregation’, so delicately drawn, as exquisitely done as Braemar by our friend J. McL.R.” He refers to Henry Towneley Green as T. Green and C.G. is his brother, Charles Green (1840-1898), an illustrator at The Graphic magazine.
In the same year, in letters to his brother Theo, he alludes to meeting Green along with other artists. It’s been suggested that Vincent was looking for work as an illustrator and keen to learn new techniques.
“I would think it advisable to go to London myself with studies and drawings and to look up the managers of the various organisations, or preferably the draughtsmen Herkomer, Green, Boughton (some, however, are in America at present) or others, if they’re in London. And would be able to get information about processes better there than elsewhere.”
And in a further letter, he continues: “Theo, when you come to the studio I’ll be able to show you some things that you’ll most certainly not be able to see all together anywhere else. I could show you some things that one might call the hundred masterpieces of modern wood engraving. Work by people whose names, even, are totally unknown to most art lovers.
Who knows of Buckman, who knows of the two Greens, who knows of Régamey’s drawings? Only a few. Seeing them all together, one is astonished by that steadiness of the drawing, that personal character, that seriousness of approach, and that fathoming and presentation of the most everyday figures and subjects found on the street, on the market, in a hospital or orphanage.”
The last reference appears in a letter to Theo during a darker period. Vincent is suggesting that he should wait until his mental health has improved before meeting the Green brothers.
“I am as my work is, and you must take this into consideration a little. I don’t know whether or not you think it would be better to see someone like Herkomer, Green or Small, for instance, now or to wait until both the work and I myself have calmed down. I’d be in favour of the latter.”
Signed, framed and glazed.
Established in 2017, Brave Fine Art is a premier English art dealership based in Cheltenham with clients including national galleries and country estates. Our team includes a conservator, logistics specialist and art historian. Over 1,000 paintings have been transported to the US and Canada safely with hundreds of glowing reviews.
We set our prices fairly from the start as we prefer to sell quickly and continually evolve the collection. Around 40 new discoveries are added every month. If you have any questions at all, we’d love to hear from you.
- Creator:Henry Towneley Green (1836 - 1899, English)
- Creation Year:1875
- Dimensions:Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)Width: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.
- Gallery Location:Cheltenham, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2328211675522
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2017
1stDibs seller since 2023
126 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Cheltenham, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Axel Kulle, Leather Tannery, DrawingLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis interesting late 19th-century drawing by Swedish artist, Axel Kulle (1846-1908) depicts six men at a leather tannery. They’re absorbed in their work, each with their head down. ...Category
Late 19th Century Academic Interior Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Pencil
- George H Hay, Spinning Wool, WatercolourLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis late 19th-century watercolour by Scottish artist George H Hay RSA (1831-1912) depicts four young ladies, wearing outfits synonymous with the 1820s, spinning wool within a simple...Category
1890s Romantic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor
- Phyllis Mary Antrobus, Lounge Interior With Family, DrawingLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis early 20th-century drawing by British artist Phyllis Mary Antrobus (1905-1983) depicts a family within a lounge interior. It was produced in 1918 when she was 13 years old and p...Category
Early 20th Century English School Interior Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsInk, Paper
- Julius Mante (Attributed), Portrait Of A Lady, DrawingLocated in Cheltenham, GBAn enigmatic charcoal portrait of a middle-aged lady attributed to German artist Julius Mante (1841-1907). The artist has captured an expression that's deliberately tricky to deciphe...Category
19th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Charcoal
- Eden Upton Eddis, Portrait of Muriel Paget Bowman, DrawingLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis charming late 19th-century portrait by British artist Eden Upton Eddis (1812-1901) depicts a young Muriel Paget Bowman (c.1876-1928), the daughter of Sir William Paget Bowman, a...Category
19th Century Academic Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsCharcoal, Paper
- Richard Wintzer, A Young Woman & Bathing Machine, DrawingLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis early 20th-century drawing by German artist Richard Wintzer (1866-1952) depicts a lady standing before a bathing machine. It’s a risque portrayal ...Category
Early 20th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Ink
You May Also Like
- Italian Art nouveau Nude Boudoir painting woman warming herself by a stove ParisBy Tito LessiLocated in Norwich, GBA very pure and tender rendition of a female nude. Elegant in its simplicity, the artist's model, is warming herself by a large stove! It is a work by Tito Lessi dating from circa 1890. Lessi was born in Florence, Italy and studied at the Florentine Academy of Fine Arts, under Enrico Pollastrini and Antonio Ciseri...Category
1890s Academic Nude Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsLaid Paper, Watercolor
- Study for “The Artist’s Studio” 1820, Horace Vernet (French 1789-1820)By Émile Jean-Horace VernetLocated in Sydney, NSWHorace Vernet (French 1789-1863), Study for “The Artist’s Studio” 1820. This is a charming detailed pen and ink study for “Vernet’s The Artist’s Studio” which was painted in 1820. I...Category
19th Century Academic Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Ink
- Men in Discussion FiresideBy Alice Barber StephensLocated in Fort Washington, PAMedium: Watercolor on Paper Signature: Signed Lower Left "Alice Barber" Men in Discussion FiresideCategory
Early 1900s Interior Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor, Paper
- Accordion Player in TavernLocated in Fort Washington, PAMedium: Gouache on Paper Signature: Signed Lower LeftCategory
1960s Interior Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsGouache, Paper
- Tiny Tim by Charles DickensBy Everett ShinnLocated in Fort Washington, PAMedium: Watercolor on Paper Signature: Signed and Dated Illegibly Lower Right Tiny Tim by Charles DickensCategory
20th Century Interior Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor, Paper
- A Room by the Belgian visual artist and antque dealer Axel VervoortBy Manuel SantelicesLocated in Miami Beach, FLA Room by Axel Vervoort, by Manuel Santelices Ink pen, gouache, and watercolor on paper Image size: 6 in. H x 8 in. W One of a Kind Unframed 2021 The w...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Interior Drawings and Waterco...
MaterialsInk, Paper, Watercolor, Gouache, Pen