This late 19th-century watercolour by British artist Edward James Duval (1838-1923) depicts a relaxing day spent fishing on the river.
Duval has captured the mood superbly and used the overcast sky to create interesting light effects. Note the figures in the foreground - strongly lit across their shoulders as they fish from a small boat. And the prominent vertical highlight, which draws the eye to the second boat on the left. Each element carefully rendered to aid navigation.
A master of light, Duval often included rivers and lakes in his compositions with this a fine example of his work in cooler tones. He lived somewhat in the shadow of his father, the portraitist Charles Allen Duval (1810-1872), but had a talent for rendering the gentle shimmer of silvery waterways.
Signed/dated lower right and framed.
Medium: Watercolour on paper
Overall size: 25½” x 19½” / 65cm x 49cm
Year of creation: 1879
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £1,186
British artist Edward James Duval is predominantly known for his landscapes in watercolour, which often feature rivers or lakes. He was trained by his father, the eminent portraitist Charles Allen Duval, and his works are held in numerous public collections.
Learn more about Edward James Duval 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 often restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.
