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silla was born out of a passion for beautiful objects: special pieces with aesthetic and historical significance. In 2009, after years of collecting, Andrew Silla and his wife Grace began to work privately with clients from their residence in Southern Maryland. Quickly outgrowing the space, the business was moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania in 2012 and after several warehouse location changes it was firmly settled in the present brick-and-mortar location in downtown Shippensburg.

The 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery is home to a large collection of works of art and estate jewelry. We specialize in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 with a particular emphasis on the Animaliers and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display.

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"Travelers Resting: A Vast Landscape with Castle Ruins" | George Smith of Chichester

SKU:
C104036

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catalog text

"TRAVELERS RESTING: A VAST LANDSCAPE WITH CASTLE RUINS" BY GEORGE SMITH OF CHICESTER (BRITISH, 1714-1776)
Signed lower left "Geo. Smith", executed in oil on canvas; housed in a fine early carved giltwood frame
Item # C104036 

An exquisite sweeping view of a vast English countryside, this fine landscape painting by George Smith of Chichester captures three travelers at rest under the shade of trees along the banks of a river tumbling over rocks as it pools to the right and meanders downstream to the left. In the distance the cattle graze freely along the banks and hills before the sprawling country estate at the base of the hill; cresting the distant hill are the ruins of a castle overlooking a valley with the spires of the town visible through the dense atmosphere of the horizon. The brilliant blues overhead fade into lighter yellows and vivid peach as the sun sets behind the hills to the left, casting the magical effects of "golden hour" over the scene.

Signed in the lower left hand corner "Geo. Smith", the work was executed in oil on canvas and is housed in a very fine carved and gilded frame of later date.

Smith painted numerous scenes of travelers before vast landscapes, many of which were engraved and are held in the collection of the British Museum. This particular work has a wonderful provenance from the collection of Thomas Viscount Anson of Shugborough and remains in impeccable fully restored condition. It was acquired at the Parker Gallery in London and has since been held in a private Virginia collection.

Born in Chichester in 1714, George Smith of Chichester specialized primarily in landscape scenes with figures and buildings, though he also produced some number of competent still-life images as well as some genre studies. His work became very popular after William Woollett produced engravings of his works, enabling a much larger market to experience his landscapes. His likeable nature and his skills as a poet and musician also contributed to his success. He exhibited in London from 1760 through 1774 and sent no less than 103 works to the exhibitions of the Free Society. His works include about 50 plates that he engraved with his brother John Smith, these taken from their landscapes. He studied nature when painting the area around his home town and was inspired by the classical conception of Claude Lorraine and Poussin. [Source: E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. XII, Gründ, 2006, p. 1366]

Artist Listings & Bibliography:

  • The Smith Brothers of Chichester [exhibition catalogue, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, 1986]

Provenance:

  • In the collection of Thomas Viscount Anson of Shugborough (later, 1892, 3rd Earl of Lichfield, 1856-1918) before 1874. There is a dated ownership inscription on the rear of the original canvas, now covered with the new lining
  • Acquired at the Parker Gallery in London


Measurements: 32 3/8" H x 45 1/4" W x 2 1/4" D [frame]; 25 3/8" H x 38 5/8" W [canvas]

Condition Report:
Excellent condition, professionally conserved in the last two decades. Expertly relined on new stretchers. Frame is later and of very fine quality, having minor chipping and gilt wear as expected. Surface presents beautifully with a faint and stable craquelure throughout.

Under UV examination:
Scattered touchups throughout the sky, mostly pin-prick spots of inpainting. Upper left sky: 1 1/8" horizontal inpainting at the edge of the frame, 3" vertical line of inpainting along edge of frame. Upper middle sky: to the left of the leaves on the tree, a cluster of touchups. Upper right corner: some extensive inpainting to the extreme edge of the frame and scattered touchups to the craquelure throughout the sky. In the trees: rubbing loss and some thinness to the paint with associated touchups in the foliage. To the left of the castle: numerous horizontal touchups. Bottom left corner: two areas of inpainting near edge of the frame, one being 2 1/2" x 1" vertical and above it 1" x 3/4" vertical. Bottom edge: scattered touchups to the left of the left seated figure. Bottom right corner: some thinness to the paint in the foliage and scattered touchups near the frame edge.