James Holland, RWS, British 1799-1870- View of a water mill; watercolour heightened with scratching out on paper laid down onto the back board of a red leather album, now dismembered, possibly indistinctly signed with monogram 'JH[?]...R' (lower...

James Holland, RWS, British 1799-1870- View of a water mill; watercolour heightened with scratching out on paper laid down onto the back board of a red leather album, now dismembered, possibly indistinctly signed with monogram 'JH[?]...R' (lower right), 32.7 x 21.7 cm., (unframed). Provenance: Collection of William Drummond.; Private Collection, UK. Note: For a not incomparable watercolour by the artist, see Dramas of Light and Land: The Martyn Gregory Collection of British Art Sale, Christie's, London, 24 March 2022, lot 51, 'A wooded river landscape, Wales'. Holland travelled widely on the Continent, and is particularly associated with Venice. The present watercolour likely dates to his 1850 tour of North Wales.
The sheet is laid down onto the backing board. Spots of foxing in areas, particularly towards the upper section of the sheet. A horizontal tear approx. 1.5 cm. to the left edge, and another unobtrusive horizontal tear above this approx. 0.5 cm. Evidence of three unobtrusive diagonal tears, each approx. 1 cm., to the lower edge. Evidence of a light crease to the lower left corner. Light abrasions and creasing to the sheet generally, and particularly towards the edges of the sheet, consistent with handling. Colours appear fresh and bright and details are well-preserved.