This charming late 18th-century oil painting by English artist John Rathbone (1750-1807) depicts a gentle view with a cottage, lake, rural track and figures. Rathbone was a spirited painter of landscapes who exhibited extensively at London’s Royal Academy (RA).
Rathbone adored the Lake District in Cumbria, returning time and time again to sketch from life. His exhibits at the RA included views of Keswick (1785), Borrowdale (1786), Derwentwater (1788), and Windermere (1789), along with several others. It’s conceivable that this piece from circa 1790 is another view from the Lakes - there’s a sense of unbridled tranquillity.
Born in Cheshire, very little is known about Rathbone’s formative years, but according to several sources, it’s apparent that he was predominantly self-taught. During the second half of the 18th century, landscape painting was largely overlooked in Britain and, as such, it was exceedingly difficult to find a tutor who worked at a proficient level. Indeed, even in John Constable’s heyday, he was desperately underrated.
Young artists seeking to develop generally did so with the help of kindly local patrons, and/or collaborated with their peers. In all cases, they were drawn to the subject by a deep connection to the natural world, which was often embedded during their childhood. In memoirs, artists reminisced about their youthful excursions into nature, filling sketchbooks with careful studies of transient light effects, topography and architecture. One can imagine young Rathbone wandering into the ample Cheshire countryside, clutching pencils and watercolours, with little motivation aside from nature herself.
As he matured, he came under the influence of two painters, Julius Caesar Ibbetson (1759-1817) and George Morland (1763-1804), who were equally adept with a jug of ale as they were with a brush. Morland was particularly well-known for his alehouse antics and unyielding character. The three became close friends, collaborating on numerous works, some publicly, others privately.
For example, Morland is known to have provided the figures for Rathbone’s ‘Landscape with Fisherman and Washerwoman (1790)’, but other collaborations were never acknowledged. On many occasions, Morland or Ibbetson would simply ‘dot in’ a few passing villagers, while Rathbone would return the favour by occasionally painting a backdrop. It’s widely acknowledged that by working so closely together, the three amplified their own careers significantly.
Like Rathbone, Ibbetson was entranced by the sublimity of the Lake District, and his circle of friends included the Lake poets, William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It’s conceivable that Rathbone was also associated with these Romantic luminaries and perhaps visited Wordworth’s home at Dove Cottage in Grasmere.
“[...] Its one green island and its winding shores;
The multitude of little rocky hills,
Thy Church and cottages of mountain stone
Clustered like stars some few, but single most
And lurking dimly in their shy retreats.”
William Wordsworth, Home at Grasmere.
However, one regrettable aspect of this alliance is that many of Rathbone’s works are no longer attributed to him due to the ‘art market’ removing his signature. Some have surely been sold as works by Morland, Ibbetson or other landscape artists from the period. In addition to Cumbria, he also travelled to North Wales, Scotland, Lancashire, Gloucestershire and Kent in search of inspiration.
As we cast an eye across the ‘known’ oeuvre of this relatively obscure artist, we’re reminded of the power of nature and its ability to transport a young, impressionable aspirant into the depths of their imagination.
Today, he’s represented in numerous public collections, including at the British Museum, V&A Museum, Yale University Art Gallery, National Trust, Art Institute of Chicago, and Brooklyn Museum.
Held in a period gilt frame, which is probably original.
Learn more about John Rathbone in our directory.
Medium: Oil on panel
Overall size: 18½” x 15½” / 47cm x 40cm
Year of creation: c. 1790
Provenance: Private collection, UK.
Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Areas of fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Repair to previous crack in the panel with corresponding areas of inpainting. Frame with various marks and showing its age.
Artist’s auction maximum: £30,000 for ‘Italianate Landscape with Figures on a Path/Wooded river Landscape (1798)’, Oil on canvas (2), Sotheby’s, London, 8 April 1998 (lot 15).
Our reference: BRV2144
