Octavius Oakley RWS, Harvest Girl, Antique Watercolour

View Similar Items

Sir Hubert Von Herkomer R.A. RWS - Contemplation

Henry Gillard Glindoni - Henry Gillard Glindoni, The Friendly Chat, Watercolour

William Hoare - Study of a girl sitting and reading a book

Doreen Baxter - Wonderland Tale - Fairy Tale - Female Illustrator

Shamona Stokes - Deep Blue Venus

Shamona Stokes - Electric Moss Venus

J. Hilly - Original French Art Deco Gouache Illustration Drawing by J. Hilly

Clyde Steadman - "Untitled 7, " Watercolor Painting

Clyde Steadman - "Untitled 6, " Watercolor Painting

Clyde Steadman - "Untitled 14, " Watercolor Painting

Clyde Steadman - "Untitled 13, " Watercolor Painting

Clyde Steadman - "Untitled 9, " Watercolor Painting

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 13

Octavius Oakley RWS
Octavius Oakley RWS, Harvest Girl, Antique Watercolour
1855

About the Item

This fine mid-19th-century watercolour by accomplished British artist Octavius Oakley RWS (1800-1867) depicts a harvest girl leaning in a cottage doorway. It was shown at the Academy of Arts, Liverpool, in 1856 and referred to in the Art Journal. With a sickle resting upon her right arm, she looks wistfully into the yonder. A quiet moment of rest following a long day in the fields. She’s not a hired model as Oakley painted from life - and it’s plausible they knew each other. The details are exquisite and underpinned by exceptional draughtsmanship. A precocious talent, Oakley taught himself to draw by candlelight against the wishes of his father. In a biography, a close associate recalled that, as a boy, he’d gather candle ends and take these to his room to illuminate the pages of sketchbooks while his family slept. His father, a wool merchant, sent him to Yorkshire in the hope he’d enter the same trade. Yet, determined to pursue an artistic career, he produced portraits of local farmers and colleagues to hone his skills. And before long, he was working for the aristocracy under the kind guidance of the Earl of Shrewsbury. But despite the ample array of noble commissions, he preferred to paint humbler subjects - particularly the travelling community and those who worked the land. He became famous for it, exhibiting over 200 works at the Old Water Colour Society where he was a member. This charming depiction of a young harvest girl is a particularly good example of his abundant talent. Signed (on the door)/dated and held within a gilt frame. Labels & Inscriptions: Gallery labels and framer’s label on reverse. Provenance: Moss Galleries, Cumbria / Private collection, England. 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:
Octavius Oakley RWS (1800 - 1867, British, English)
Creation Year:
1855
Dimensions:
Height: 25 in (63.5 cm)Width: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)
Medium:
Watercolor,Paper
Movement & Style:
English School
Period:
1850-1859
Condition:
Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.
Gallery Location:
Cheltenham, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2328213314472