Thomas Sidney Cooper, R.A. 1803-1902

London, Frost & Reed, November 1946, as Landscape: Cattle and Sheep;
London, Phillips, 21 November 1983, lot 65, as Cattle and Sheep on a Mound, Finding the Shade;
Gloucestershire, Brian Sinfield Gallery;
London, Christie's, 25 July 1986, lot 302 as Cattle and Sheep in a Landscape; 
Henry H.Walrond of Merriott, Somerset; his sale, Bonhams, 19 November 2002, lot 68 as Cattle, Sheep and a Goat at Rest in an Extensive Landscape;
Private collection

Possibly London, Royal Academy, 1857, no. 513 as When in Crimson Cloud of Even the Lingering Light Decays - Beattie

STRUCTURE The canvas has been relined. CATALOGUE COMPARISON The colours are much warmer than the illustration suggests. PAINT SURFACE The paint surface is in good clean condition with a light even varnish. There are a few traces of craquelure typical of a work of this age. ULTRAVIOLET UV light reveals retouching to frame abrasions to the upper and lower edges. There is light sweeping retouching in the upper left and right corners and two small patches in the sky, upper left. Further areas of infilling to the foreground, lower right and a few scattered spots to the sheep and the bull. This restoration has been sensitively undertaken. FRAME Held in an ornate plaster gilt frame in fair 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."

The painting was titled When in Crimson Cloud of Even, the Lingering Light Decays and attributed to the Royal Academy exhibit no.513 of 1857 in Henry Walrond's collection. However, the Royal Academy picture has not been positively identified from contemporary reviews and the painting does not retain any exhibition labels. The long shadows cast by the animals could suggest an evening effect, with the fading sunlight producing the 'crimson' shadows on the clouds. This colouring is however common to many of Cooper's landscapes and other large compositions of exhibition quality are catalogued for 1857 which could equally be described by the quotation from James Beattie.

We are grateful to Kenneth Westwood for preparing this catalogue entry.