Items Similar to Study of the Head of a Moorhen
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Joseph Mallord William TurnerStudy of the Head of a Moorhen
About the Item
Watercolour on paper
Paper size: 4 x 5 inches
Framed size: 19 x 19.75 inches
PROVENANCE
A gift from Joseph Mallord William Turner to Miss Amelia Hawksworth (later Mrs Hotham), niece of Walter Fawkes. The watercolour descended through the ownership of Amelia Hawksworth, daughter of Francis Fawkes ( Walter Fawkes's brother) who was the main compiler of the Ornithological Collection (Miss Hawksworth owned five other bird studies by Turner).
Private collection, London
LITERATURE:
For similar works by J M W Turner see Anne Lyles, The Tate catalogue for the exhibition 'Turner and Natural History, The Farnley Project', 1988.
The present watercolour was drawn circa 1815-1820 for Walter Fawkes of Farnley Hall, for his Ornithological Collection Volume IV.
Between 1808 and 1824, Turner visited Farnley Hall in Yorkshire to stay with the Fawkes family. Turner felt at home at Farnley - the Fawkes daughters reminded him of his own. He helped illustrate a five volume ornithological scrap book for the Fawkes children, making watercolour studies of the birds for the children to stick in opposite the pages on which feathers from similar birds were attached. His bird portraits were most effective, most "life-like", when in fact the bird was dead ! His watercolours of a live robin and goldfinch have a more hesitant touch.
At this time Turner enjoyed the patronage first of Edward Lascelles, the heir to Harewood, and after 1808, of the radical landlord Walter Fawkes of Farnley Hall, near Otley. He became a close friend of the Fawkes family with whom he stayed for most summers until 1824.
The last owner of Old Farnley Hall was Francis Fawkes, a rich widower with no direct heirs. When Francis Fawkes died in 1786 he left the house to Walter Beaumont Hawksworth of Hawksworth Hall, on condition that Hawksworth adopt the Fawkes name by Royal Licence. Walter Fawkes brought in architect John Carr of York to make extensions to the house, but he died before the work was completed, and Farnley Hall was passed on to his son, also called Walter who also took the Fawkes name and was known as Walter Ramsden Fawkes. It was this Walter who was a great friend of J M W Turner.
Anne Lyles has confirmed the attribution and writes:
"Everything fits in relation to the style of the watercolour and most especially the provenance - in the Turner and Natural History exhibition catalogue of 1988 we know that Amelia Hawksworth (Mrs Hotham) owned three studies of birds' heads by J M W Turner (previously with the Maas Gallery, and numbers 36, 37 and 61 in that catalogue) as well as two studies of dead game by the artist (catalogue numbers 59 and 63, the latter untraced in 1988). Interestingly, catalogue numbers 36 and 37 (the Merganser and the Smew) seem also originally to have been intended for Volume IV of the Ornithological Collection - it is likely that the "Study of the Head of a Moorhen" was intended for this. However, this section of the Farnley Bird book failed to be covered, perhaps owing to the difficulty of sourcing the feathers.
- Creator:Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775 - 1851, British)
- Dimensions:Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 19.75 in (50.17 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:Framed behind glass.
- Gallery Location:Belgravia, London, GB
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
No Reviews Yet
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1971
1stDibs seller since 2020
19 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 5 hours
Associations
LAPADA - The Association of Arts & Antiques DealersThe British Antique Dealers' Association
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Belgravia, London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Asleep in the MangerBy Walter HuntLocated in Belgravia, London, LondonPastel on paper Paper size: 13.75 x 20.5 inches Framed size: 21.5 x 28.25 inches Signed lower leftCategory
19th Century Animal Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Pastel
- On the FarmBy John Frederick Herring JrLocated in Belgravia, London, LondonOil on canvas Canvas size: 21 x 17 inches Signed lower rightCategory
19th Century Animal Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Leopard CubBy Charles FracéLocated in Belgravia, London, LondonOil on canvas Canvas size: 21 x 18 inches Framed size: 33.5 x 30.75 inches Signed lower rightCategory
20th Century Animal Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Whilst the Sleeping Dog LiesBy Horatio Henry CoulderyLocated in Belgravia, London, LondonOil on canvas Canvas size: 20.25 x 27.25 inches Signed lower leftCategory
19th Century Animal Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- The Young HunterBy Charles FracéLocated in Belgravia, London, LondonOil on canvas Canvas size: 18 x 22 inches Framed size: 27.5 x 31.5 inches Signed lower leftCategory
20th Century Animal Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Spotting his ReflectionLocated in Belgravia, London, LondonOil on canvas Canvas size: 10 x 14 inches Signed and dated '1887' lower rightCategory
19th Century Animal Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
You May Also Like
- Camel trainerBy Reuven RubinLocated in Jerusalem, ILA beautiful watercolor painting by Israeli artist Reuven Rubin. Featuring a camel trainer and his camel. Signed and framed. In very good condition.Category
20th Century Animal Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor
- "Egrets Among Lotuses" Japanese Byobu ScreenLocated in Chicago, ILEverything about "Egrets Among Lotuses" is timeless and delicate, particularly the fine paper, soft colors, and detailed brushstrokes. The painting is signed Kyokata and dates to the...Category
Early 20th Century Animal Paintings
MaterialsSilk, Watercolor, Washi Paper
- Yellow-Black Monkey - Figurative Ink Ecoline Painting, New ExpressionLocated in Salzburg, ATGrażyna Rigall is a painter, illustrator, author of stage designs and music videos. - The artist is interested in the merging of the world of fauna and flora with the world of man, p...Category
2010s Contemporary Animal Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Ink, Watercolor
- The Snake - Original Children Book Illustration Painting for "The man as he is"Located in Salzburg, ATOriginal Illustration for published children's book "The man as he is"" - "Czlowiek jaki jest" by Grazyna Rigall, signet by artist, It is in a plain ...Category
2010s Contemporary Animal Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Pencil
- Wanted - Original Children Book Illustration Painting For "Frog in Africa"Located in Salzburg, ATOriginal Illustration for published children's book "Frog in Africa" - "Żaba w Afryce" Grazyna Rigall, signet by artist, It is in a plain Ikea frame. Grażyna Rigall is a painter, ...Category
2010s Contemporary Animal Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor, Pencil
- "Nature Notes" 1982 Cartoon Artwork by Joseph L. Parrish Chicago TribuneLocated in Bristol, CTPanel Sz: 7 1/4" x 19 1/4" Frame Sz: 11 3/4" x 23 1/2" Artist: Joseph L. Parrish (1905-1989) Joseph L. Parrish was chief editorial cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune who was widel...Category
1980s Animal Paintings
MaterialsWatercolor, Paper
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Ramsden And Carr
Original Animal Paintings
Modern Bird Paintings
Antique Set Framed Art
Dog Oil Painting Framed
Fishes Series
Contemporary Dog Painting
Framed Cat Paintings
Dogs In Frames
Oil Paintings Of Hawaii
Old Master Animals
Original Paintings Of Maine
Miro Animals
Framed Cat Oil Paintings
Animal Paintings Old Masters
Oil Landscape Painting Hawaii
White Dog Painting Painting
Antique Landscape Animal