MARINE WATERCOLOUR OF A DAMAGED FRENCH WARSHIP WITH ITS SAILS REEFED & HEELING OVER IN THE STRONG WINDS REQUIRING RESCUE & TITLED VERSO "GALE OFF THE FRENCH COAST" BY ARTIST JOHN ROBERT MATHER (B1834-D1879)APPROX.SIZE 33 X 20 INCHES OVERALL.

Description

We are delighted to offer for sale this large and beautifully executed watercolour of exceptional quality by the Northumbrian artist John Robert Mather. We could not find a monogram on this painting, although the companion piece bears one, but it is unmistakably painted by the same hand. The painting is entitled verso on a piece of the original backing board, 'Gale off the French Coast', which is attached to the reverse of the more recent backing board. The painting depicts a French sailing vessel, with its sails reefed, heeling over before the wind in a gale. There are many figures on the deck of the ship. Other vessels can be seen also with their sails reefed and one can be seen with its sails billowing in the wind. The French coast is dimly visible in the background.
This is one of a pair of watercolours by this artist that we are listing.
ABOUT THE ARTIST: John Robert Mather (b1834-d1879)
He was born in Newcastle, although we can find no registration of his birth, although his death was registered at Tynemouth in 1879. He was a marine watercolourist primarily, although some of his landscapes do exist.
He was a retired Lieutenant in the Royal Marines 22nd Regiment at Barras Bridge Newcastle and had retired from the military by the age of 26 according to the 1861 Census.
This information is listed on the back of one of his watercolours sold at Christies's, which was a view of Arno in Italy.
He was known to have travelled on painting expeditions in Norway and Italy during the 1860s and 1870s.
He is believed to have lived in Cullercoats, near Tynemouth in the last years of his life.
Due to his early death, there is only a small body of his work in circulation,
There is some confusion between this artist and an Australian artist by the name of John Mather, who signs J. Mather, usually followed by the date. This artist was born in Hamilton in Scotland, studied art in Glasgow and emigrated to Australia in 1878, becoming a successful artist in that country and being appointed Curator of the Melbourne Museum in 1916.
Both artists are often confused with each other by sellers.John Robert Mather was a much more accomplished artist appealing to buyers with a good eye for amazing quality,detail and accuracy.
MEASUREMENTS:
Image size 26" x 12" 66cm x 30.5cm
Frame size 33 7/8" x 19 5/8" 86cm x 49cm
ARTIST: John Robert Mather
TITLE:"Gaol off the French Coast"
DATE: Circa 1850 Mid Victorian.
MEDIUM: Watercolour heightened with body colour and gum arabic.
CONDITION
Excellent condition throughout with no foxing or fading,with the mounts in very good condition.
FRAME
A Beautiful original decorative antique swept plaster gilt frame,which greatly enhances the appearance.
The painting is double mounted in relatively new mounts and is ready to hang.
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Internal Ref: 0505B