In May 1914, this extensive early 19th-century view across a broad winding river was sold via Mr Charles A Joel, auctioneer, at a much-publicised sale in Newcastle. It was offered as a fully attributed work by the great John Constable RA (1776-1837).
The sale was following the death of Joseph Ainsley Davidson Shipley (1822-1909), a solicitor and avid art collector from Gateshead, who amassed a collection of over 2,000 pictures.
Aside from several works by Constable, he also acquired an array of old masters including pieces by Aelbert Cuyp (1620-1691), Meindert Hobbema (1638-1709), Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), Raphael (1483-1520), Rembrandt (1606-1669), Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665), Joseph Mallord William Turner RA (1775-1851), Jacob van Ruisdael (1629-1682), Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), and Claude Lorrain (1600-1682) among others.
Shipley’s intention was to build a gallery in Newcastle and donate his entire collection to the public and, as such, he left £30,000 in his will to fund its construction. However, despite this generous offer, Newcastle Council declined his donation with many of the works deemed as questionable. Gateshead Council subsequently agreed to build it but retained only 504 works with the majority being sold at the auction referred to above. Today, this is known as the Shipley Art Gallery.
The painting bears a label from George Hughes an art dealer and carver/gilder of Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, who assisted Shipley with many of his acquisitions. Hughes, who died a year later, was described favourably in an obituary:
“Mr. Hughes' counsel was often sought by the best art collectors in the country, and it is said that very few men in the country had so great a knowledge of old works as he had. He was regarded as a leading producer of high-class gilding and carving, and specimens of his work are to be found in many of the most elegant homes in the counties of Northumberland and Durham. His advice was very widely sought, and invariably acted upon.”
So the question remains, is it by Constable? If it were, it could reach over £150,000 at auction but it’s terrifically challenging to prove without details of where/how it was acquired. The sky is somewhat reminiscent of Constable’s studies and the view itself could be Dedham Vale, a favourite haunt. Either way, it’s a fascinating piece. The full sales catalogue from 1914 is to view at archive.org (lot 633).
Held in a magnificent early 19th-century gilt frame with extensive ornamentation.
Learn more about John Constable in our directory.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 47” x 38½” / 120cm x 98cm
Year of creation: c. 1830
Labels & Inscriptions: Old label attached to reverse ‘John Constable RA, Landscape & River Scene’, which corresponds to the 1914 auction catalogue. Further label from ‘Geo’ (George) Hughes of 46 Pilgrim Street.
Provenance: Probably with George Hughes, art dealer, Newcastle / With Joseph Ainsley Davidson Shipley / Charles A Joel Auctioneers, Newcastle, 5-20 May 1914, lot 633 / Private collection, Sweden.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various signs of age.
Our reference: BRV1720
