An attractive impressionistic landscape painting by English artist, James Herbert Snell (1861-1935). With daubs of oils and skilfully rendered brushwork, Snell has captured this scene beautifully.

Snell was an interesting painter as his works span a transitionary period for British art. Around 1880, French impressionism was in full swing and gaining the attention of many British artists. As a young man, he would’ve surely been influenced by the impressionists, yet also embedded into a deep British tradition for realism. As such, many of his paintings draw on both schools, with his later works becoming more impressionistic.

Snell trained at the Academy in Heatherleys and also visited Paris and Amsterdam for study trips. His travels enabled him to collaborate with a range of diverse artists, which furthered his development.

In 1890, he was invited to the Royal Society of British Artists and also later became a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. He exhibited widely, including 45 times at the Royal Academy.

Signed and dated in the bottom right.

Medium: Oil on wood
Overall size: 19” x 15½” / 39cm x 48cm
Year of creation: c. 1920
Provenance: Sweden
Condition: Very good with no significant issues. Frame with light wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £4,800 achieved for ‘The Willow Pool’ at Christie’s in 2020.