Sidney Richard Percy

Richard Green, London, where purchased by the husband of the present owner, February 1990

STRUCTURE The canvas has been relined. There are faint signs of craquelure across the canvas, predominantly in the sky, and a small stain above the rocky hill top in the upper right corner; otherwise the work appears in good overall condition. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT Ultraviolet light reveals areas of retouching along the upper edge and some scattered flecks or retouching across the sky. FRAME Held in a gilt plaster frame.
"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 Road to Loch Turret, Crieff was painted by Sidney Richard Williams, who followed in the footsteps of his father Edward Williams to become one of the finest landscape painters of his generation. The proliferation of pastoral painters with the name Williams posed a problem for him and along with his five brothers, the twenty-year-old artist changed his name. He was known as Sidney Richard Percy for his long and prosperous career. In 1868 when this picture was painted, Percy was living in Sutton in Surrey but he travelled extensively in Britain to find locations for his pictures, often riding alone on remote mountain passes in his quest to locate beautiful vistas far from the tourist path.

In the present picture two young shepherdesses and a shepherd wearing a Tam-o-Shanter, have removed their shoes to paddle in the clear mountain stream and now sit amongst the boulders to enjoy the sunshine. The eponymous pass to the loch meanders through the heather-clad slopes towards the mist-skirted peaks of the mountains. Percy’s attention to detail is remarkable and with just the smallest flicks of white paint he suggests the form of an individual sheep among the bracken, the foaming torrents of a burn or the wisps of smoke from a mountain bothy.