This mid-19th-century oil painting by British artist Frederick Foot (1830-1908) depicts a river view with figures, stones and dog. Foot was an accomplished landscape painter working predominantly in the South-West of England.
Born in Ashburton, Devon, Foot was raised among the picturesque environs of Dartmoor - where the River Dart winds through verdant hills and dashes over waterfalls. It’s an area steeped in history and Ashburton itself dates to the Middle Ages, a stimulating environment for a young impressionable mind. Foot’s father, Peter Foot, worked as a ‘cordwainer’, a maker of shoes - and young Frederick was probably trained in the family business. However, rather than pursue this as a career, he opted, instead, for creative pursuits.
Apparently self-taught, he was instructed by nature herself. Sketchbook in hand, he studied the nuances of the seasons across multifaceted Dartmoor topography. Like Constable before him, it’s clear that he adored the countryside, often returning to his favourite spots to paint and paint again.
Here, in this piece from around 1860, he’s captured a view of ‘stepping stones’ bridging the shimmering Dart. He rendered numerous views of this river, often including tree-lined banks and occasional figures. There’s a charm to his portrayals coupled with a tranquil atmosphere.
His adoration for Devon and his skill for describing it led to several appearances at London’s Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists and British Institution.
Signed in the lower right and held within a gilt frame.
Learn more about Frederick Foot in our directory.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 29½” x 22½” / 75cm x 57cm
Year of creation: c. 1860
Labels & Inscriptions: Title inscribed on the reverse.
Provenance: Private collection, UK.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Revarnished. Frame restored. Frame with light marks and signs of age.
Artist’s auction maximum: £1,800 for ‘Buckfast Abbey on the River Dart, Devon (1851)’, Oil on canvas, Sotheby's, British Paintings (1500-1850), London, 1992 (lot 187).
Our reference: BRV1812
