James George O´Brien, called Oben
Ten Watercolours with Landscapes from England, Ireland and Wales
Watercolour on paper. 65.5 x 89 cm and 41.7 x 58 cm.
All ten watercolours in the original frames inscribed with the locations.
Signed and dated lower right: J. G. Oben 1802 (to one sheet).
These ten watercolours by the Irish artist James George O´Brien, still kept in their original gilt and ebonised frames inscribed with the location depicted in the work, form a unique early 19th century ensemble. The large format of the works and the extreme detail contained in these landscape vedutas also make them highly unusual. The artist has endeavoured to depict landscapes in which man is harmonically integrated into the sublimity of nature.
The four smaller works show three different views of the Irish river Boyne, three of which are entitled “Views of the Boyne” and the fourth “Grattons Seat Wicklow”. The six larger views are titled ”Source of the river Cornway“, “The Oak Tree in Caravan“, “Mc Brides Cottage, Wicklow“, “Landsburys lake“, “Devils Glen“ and “Ulswater Lake, Cumberland“. The fine series previously belonged to Sir Peter Smithers, a renowned British civil servant who died in Lugano in 2006. During his retirement, Sir Peter dedicated himself to the study of botany, winegrowing and breeding peonies.
All ten watercolours are illustrated in our online catalogue at www.lempertz.com.
Provenance
H.H. Walford Esq. (with a hand written label to the reverse). - The Parker Gallery, London (gallery label). - Sir Peter Smithers (1913-2006 Lugano) - Private ownership, Switzerland.