John Linnell (British, 1792-1882)

Description

A view at a ford on the River Medway with cattle, gypsies and donkeys beside a pollarded willow, a church tower in the distance
signed or inscribed 'On the Medway / John Linnell' (on an old label to the reverse)
oil on canvas, in a period frame
89.5 x 181cm

Provenance:
Mr John Farnworth of Woolton, Mayor of Liverpool (1865-66),
His Sale, Christie's, London, 18th May 1874 (see Literature),
Acquired by Agnew's for 1,250 guineas (see Literature),
Presumably sold to James Joicey, 1st Baron Joicey (1846-1936);
Anon. Sale, Christie's, London, 21st March 1969, lot 128,
when acquired for a Spanish private collection

Footnote:

Literature:
The Art Journal, vol. XIII, London, 1874, p. 221;
George Redford, Art Sales: A History of Sales of Pictures and Other Works of Art..., London, 1888, vol II, p. 73

Condition report:

Framed 129.5 x 221.5cm

Oil on canvas which has been lined. The canvas has good tension and the picture is in plane. There are localised areas of flaking paint, mainly around the edges of the painting with a few scattered paint losses. Overall, the paint layer is in a sound condition. A small tear in the lower left corner has been repaired through retouching and overpainted. Other areas of overpaint do not appear to be extensive. Changes appear to have been made to the position of the cart, the original shafts have been overpainted. The overpaint has darkened overtime, it is known that Linnell made changes to his own paintings so it is possible this is an early intervention. The varnish has yellowed and collected in the texture of the brushstrokes. There are some scuffs and accretions across the surface.