Ernest Crofts Art

Outstanding English Victorian 19th century Harvest landscape. Thomas Simon Dingle was the son of Thomas Dingle (1818-1904), known as a London landscape painter, but who, according t...

Gustave Jaquet Jacquet was born on 25th May 1846 in Paris. He was a pupil of Bouguereau and for his debut at the Paris Salon in 1865, he exhibited 'The Reverie' which was very much i...

William Hughes British, 19th Century Study of Apples, circa 1870 Oil on panel Monogrammed lower right A finely observed and intimate still life by William Hughes, painted circa 1870, depicting a small grouping of apples arranged upon a simple wooden surface. Executed with quiet restraint and technical assurance, the composition reflects the enduring appeal of Victorian still life painting, where humble subjects are elevated through careful observation and painterly sensitivity. The apples, shown attached to a slender branch with leaves, are rendered with particular attention to texture and natural variation. Subtle transitions of colour—soft greens, warm russets, and touches of golden ochre—capture the ripeness and individuality of each fruit. The surfaces are delicately modelled, with highlights and imperfections thoughtfully described, lending the work both realism and charm. Set against a rich, dark background, the fruit is brought into sharp relief, a compositional device that enhances both depth and focus. The contrast between the illuminated forms and the shadowed ground creates a sense of quiet drama, while the horizontal line of the wooden ledge anchors the composition with stability and balance. Hughes’ handling is confident yet controlled, combining fine brushwork with a painterly softness that avoids excessive detail. The leaves and stems are treated with a lighter touch, providing a natural counterpoint to the more solid forms of the apples. This balance between precision and atmosphere is characteristic of well-executed 19th-century British still life painting...

William Hughes British, 19th Century Still Life of Apples, Grapes and Insects on a Garden Ledge, circa 1870 Oil on panel Monogrammed lower right A richly coloured and finely observ...

19th century English landscape with trees, a Harvest Field during Summertime. A wonderful classic English landscape dating from the middle of the 19th century. This style of paintin...

Well painted late 19th-century German genre painting. Often painted in the Munich area of Germany these highly desirable antique paintings are always of t...

John F. Pasmore (British, 19th century) Young Woman by a Cottage Door with Cat, Dog and Bird, circa 1880 Oil on panel, signed lower left A finely observed late-Victorian genre paint...

William Arthur Breakspeare. English ( b.1855 - d.1914 ). A Rendezvous In The Park In The Autumn Fall. Oil On Panel. Signed Lower Right. Image size 12.6 inches x 7.3 inches ( 32cm x 1...

This charming painting by Ernest Walbourne is a quintessential example of the artist’s ability to capture the serene beauty of rural life. Known for his idyllic landscapes and depict...

Louise Lenka German, early 20th century Chicken and Chicks in a Barnyard Landscape Circa 1910 Oil on panel Signed lower right In a gilt period frame A finely painted early 20th-cen...

John Nost Sartorius (British, 1759–1828) Men Out Bird Shooting in a Woodland Landscape, circa 1820 Oil on wooden panel, in a fine antique gilt frame Unsigned A finely observed early 19th-century sporting picture by John Nost Sartorius, one of the most respected figures in the English tradition of animal and sporting painting. The composition depicts a quiet moment in the field: a sportsman advancing through woodland with his gun, accompanied by attentive pointers, their forms crisply picked out against the darker recesses of the forest. Sartorius was celebrated for his ability to combine accurate animal portraiture with atmospheric landscape settings, and this work is characteristic of his mature period. The dogs are rendered with anatomical confidence and individual character, while the surrounding woodland is handled with a restrained, naturalistic palette that lends depth and calm to the scene. The narrative is understated and refined, intended as much for contemplation as for sporting reference. Painted on a wooden panel, as was common for Sartorius’s smaller and more intimate works, the picture retains a pleasing surface quality and detail. It is housed in an antique gilt frame of appropriate date, enhancing its presence and lending a strong period feel. Works by Sartorius were highly sought after by country house patrons in the early 19th century and were often commissioned to record favourite dogs or shooting grounds. Today, paintings of this type remain especially appealing to collectors of British sporting art and sit equally well in traditional country house interiors or more formal libraries and studies. A confident and decorative example of English sporting painting...

A wonderful portrait of a young boy seated in his room looking out over the expansive landscape. Painted circa 1840 this piece has all the style of middle European art. French, Swis...