This charming late 19th-century oil painting by British artist Alfred H Vickers (1834-1919) depicts a picturesque coastal view with sailboats.
Alfred H was trained by his grandfather, Alfred Vickers Senior (1786-1868), one of the unsung heroes of British landscape painting. His father, Alfred Gomersal Vickers (1810-1837), was also an accomplished artist but passed away at the premature age of 27.
Vickers Senior painted in a rapid, sketchy style with energetic short marks and brisk handling. This aligned him closer to his French contemporaries, some of whom were experimenting with painting entirely ‘plein air’.
Old Vickers' influence on young Alfred H is evident in this piece and it’s fascinating to consider his thought processes. Note the clear vertical marks to describe the structures on the beach. And the dots of Constable-esque white light flickering across the distant fields.
Signed in the lower left and held within a gilt frame.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 17” x 13½” / 43cm x 34cm
Year of creation: c. 1890
Provenance: Private collection, Sweden.
Condition: Artwork presents well. Canvas relined. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £4,800
Alfred Henry Vickers was a well-travelled painter of European landscapes, primarily around England and the continent. He was born into an artistic family and like his father and grandfather, he exhibited at the Royal Academy.
Learn more about Alfred H Vickers in our directory.
We care profoundly about our role as custodians and every piece in the collection has been assessed by our conservator. When required, we undertake professional restoration carefully using reversible techniques and adopt a light touch to retain the aged charm of each work. We also restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.
