Thomas Sidney Cooper, R.A. 1803-1902

S.T. Gooden of Pall Mall, London, before 1902;
Christie's, 22 June 1984, lot 225, as Cattle and Sheep Grazing in a Landscape with a Church Beyond;
Private collection

'T. S. Cooper, R.A.', in Art Journal, 1901, illus. p. 125

STRUCTURE The canvas has been relined. CATALOGUE COMPARISON The catalogue illustration is broadly representative. PAINT SURFACE The paint surface is clean with a fine craquelure pattern throughout. This is entirely stable. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT UV light reveals retouching to frame abrasions along the upper edge. Retouching to a repair in the tree, upper left, a small patch just to the right of tree, upper left and three further spots above the horizon, lower right. FRAME Held in an ornate plaster gilt frame in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cattle and sheep are grazing by willow trees on the bank of the River Stour in the Fordwich meadows, with four cows and two sheep in the foreground and the Church of St.Mary the Virgin at Fordwich (also spelt Fordwick), seen in the distance to the right. A related watercolour is known entitled Cattle and Sheep Resting by a River (14 ½ by 20 ¾ in., signed and dated 1843) depicting the same group of animals in the foreground, in a Cumberland landscape.

Throughout the 1830s Cooper's technique was distinctively 'fluid' and freely painted, with muddy cart tracks and areas of vegetation in the foregrounds receiving an almost sculptured treatment. This gradually evolved in the following decade to a smoother glassy surface, with far greater emphasis on minute detail, accomplished with the finest brushes. His style was yet to undergo further subtle changes, but it was the results of the 1840s that were to earn him some of the highest praise. In 1843 Watering Cattle, Evening, "in every way a delicious picture of its class...rendered with fine feeling for nature"; Cattle at Pasture "Deserving of the highest praise" etc. The same could apply to any number of works of that year, particularly Evening, Fordwich Meadows, near Canterbury.

We are very grateful to Kenneth Westwood for writing the catalogue entry for this lot.