This 19th-century oil painting by Suffolk artist Robert Burrows (1810-1883) depicts a river landscape under moonlight. It’s a gentle, evocative work with a calming mood.

Burrows was born in Ipswich and admired the picturesque scenery around his home town. Suffolk vistas are synonymous with the great John Constable (1776-1837) and undoubtedly his passion for working from nature inspired the young Burrows. Constable once told a friend “I should paint my own places best; painting with me is but another word for feeling”. A philosophy he certainly shared.

Here, Burrows captures a view that’s likely to be either on the Orwell or Gipping River, close to Ipswich. A solitary fisherman stands upon the bank to symbolise man’s harmony with nature. He loved this place.

In 1883, an obituary mentioned that ‘No artist has reproduced more of the pleasant views which Ipswich is surrounded’.

The painting is monogrammed and housed within a splendid gilt frame.

Learn more about Robert Burrows in our directory.

Medium: Oil on panel
Overall size: 14” x 14” / 36cm x 36cm
Year of creation: c. 1870
Condition: Artwork presents well. Minor scratching. One small paint loss. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £10,000 achieved for an oil painting in 1996.