“Forest Path,” 19th C. Oil on Canvas English Landscape Painting by William Shayer
“Forest Path,” 19th C. Oil on Canvas English Landscape Painting by William Shayer
Painted and signed by William Shayer, Senior (1787-1879) who had a long and successful career as a painter of English countryside scenes, landscapes and seascapes, and who exhibited at the leading art institutions of the day, including the Royal Academy and Society of British Artists. A native of Southampton near the southern coast of England, he began as a self taught artist, eventually perfecting his compositional drafting skills to create an ambitious oeuvre of sophisticated compositions executed with technical subtlety and notable luminosity. As seen here, he painted in layered glazes to evoke an atmospheric glow, and capture the translucency of foliage against the sky. Here, a cheerful family with their dog has brought lunch to a man working in the woods. Signed at the end of the log, “Wm Shayer.” Ca. 1850’s, in a good, likely original frame. Painting is in very good antique condition with light craquelure, light rubbing, frame with some distress and touch ups to the gilding.
H: 39 ¼ W: 34 ¼ D: 3