{"product_id":"james-nasmyth-the-reader","title":"James Nasmyth, The Reader","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis fascinating little oil painting by celebrated Scottish engineer, astronomer and artist James Nasmyth (1808-1890) depicts an 18th-century gentleman absorbed in a book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeated heavily in an upholstered armchair, he rests his forehead against one hand while the other lies across the open pages. His pale coat, waistcoat, stockings and powdered wig catch the light against a deep olive-green interior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround him is the private world of an educated man. A landscape painting hangs above a miniature portrait, while a handsome chest supports a candlestick, glass vessels and various objects. At his side stands a small table with further glassware, and a large portfolio leans casually against the chair. The room is quiet enough that one can almost imagine the ticking of a clock somewhere beyond the picture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition appears to have been inspired by the celebrated French painter Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier (1815-1891), whose small historical interiors featuring solitary readers were enormously admired during the 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn into a remarkable family of Scottish artists, Nasmyth was taught to draw by his father, the landscape painter Alexander Nasmyth. His elder brother Patrick became a successful professional landscape painter, while James chose engineering and ultimately became famous for inventions including the steam hammer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut drawing and painting never disappeared from his life. Nasmyth believed that drawing was a form of thought. He described it as being \"as familiar to me as language\" and used it continually - to record landscapes, explain machinery, reconstruct geological ideas and eventually visualise the mountains and craters of the Moon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe also possessed a lively antiquarian imagination. During quieter evenings he produced elaborate drawings of old castles, alchemists, antiquaries and fictional interiors, often placing solitary figures within imagined historical worlds. The Reader belongs naturally to that side of him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePainted on 10 April 1874, it dates from an extraordinary period in Nasmyth's life. He had long since retired from commercial engineering and was devoting himself to drawing, photography, astronomy and scientific experimentation. The same year saw the publication of his celebrated study The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite, produced with James Carpenter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNasmyth spent his life studying how things worked - here, however, the machinery is entirely internal. A man sits in a chair with a book - and thinks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the reverse, he's included a coloured illustration of his steam hammer as a pictorial monogram. It's also signed, titled and dated on the reverse. Held in a later frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead our essay: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/bravefineart.com\/blogs\/news\/james-nasmyth-the-engineer-who-never-stopped-drawing\" title=\"James Nasmyth Essay\"\u003eJames Nasmyth, The Engineer Who Never Stopped Drawing\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"painting-spec\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedium\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOil on panel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverall size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e12” x 14” \/ 31cm x 36cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYear of creation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e10 April 1874\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabels \u0026amp; Inscriptions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInscribed on the reverse by the artist with the title, and illustrated with the artist's 'mark' - a steam hammer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrivate collection, UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConservation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProfessionally conserved, including careful cleaning to reveal the painting’s true colouring and remove accumulated surface grime that can be harmful over time. A protective layer of conservation varnish has also been applied.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery presentable for its age. Frame showing some minor marks and wear consistent with age and use. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOur reference\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBRV2383\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Brave Fine Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67774888378685,"sku":null,"price":1650.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2508\/9760\/files\/BRV2383_m.jpg?v=1792689719","url":"https:\/\/bravefineart.com\/products\/james-nasmyth-the-reader","provider":"Brave Fine Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}