This mid-19th-century oil painting by British artist Henry Ladbrooke (1800-1869) depicts a woodland view near Walsingham in Norfolk. It was exhibited at Norwich Castle in October 1927 and the original exhibition catalogue is included with the sale.
Henry Ladbrooke was a notable landscape painter known for capturing rugged local topography. He was the son of Robert Ladbrooke, one of the founders of the Norwich School of Painters. Early in life, he sought to pursue a career in the clergy but when his father spotted his talent with a pencil, he was urged to follow artistic endeavours. He was trained by his uncle, ‘Old’ John Crome, and soon began exhibiting - he was first shown at the ‘Norwich Society’ in 1821.
His approach was similar to that of his father’s, which was based upon earlier Dutch models. The Norwich School artists were keen admirers of the Dutch masters, such as Meindert Hobbema (1638-1709) and Jacob van Ruisdael (1628/9-1682). His attention to detail is quite painstaking and he spent considerable time perfecting each work. Trees are particularly intricate with branches studied carefully.
This fine piece from around 1860 is a splendid example of his talent. The composition is densely wooded with dapples of light scattering the track. The clouds are intelligently rendered and bring emphasis to the foliage.
Henry Ladbrooke exhibited at Norwich Castle, the British Institution, and the Royal Society of British Artists. He’s represented at Norfolk Museum Service and Atkinson Art Gallery Collection.
Signed/dated lower left and held within its original gilt frame.
Learn more about Henry Ladbrooke in our directory.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 40” x 50½” / 102cm x 128cm
Year of creation: c. 1860
Labels & Inscriptions: Norwich Castle exhibition label. Old inscribed label with title. Label from Norwich-based firm, W. Boswell & Son dating to the 1930s.
Provenance: Mr and Mrs John Parry-Evans / Possibly with W. Boswell & Son / Private collection, Sweden.
Exhibited: Norwich, Norwich Castle, Loan Collection of Oil Paintings, Watercolour Drawings, Etc, illustrative of the work of artists of the Norwich School of Painting deceased prior to 1900 excluding John Crome and John Sell Cotman, October 6th to November 5th 1927, no. 49.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Frame restored. Frame with old repairs. Canvas with a historic repair to a previous tear, which is slightly visible in raking light.
Artist’s auction maximum: £9,000
Our reference: BRV1430
