19th Century Scottish Castle Landscape Oil Painting of Lake Follower of Alexander Nasmyth 1758-1840

“ Follower of “ Alexander Nasmyth (1758-1840) An early nineteenth century landscape oil painting on canvas depicting a castle by a lake before mountain views. Housed in a replacement moulded gilt wood frame. About : Alexander Nasmyth (1758-1840) Scottish portrait and landscape painter, a pupil of Allan Ramsay. Nasmyth was born in Edinburgh on 9 September 1758. He studied at the Royal High School and the Trustees’ Academy and was apprenticed to a coachbuilder. Aged sixteen, he was taken to London by portrait painter Allan Ramsay where he worked on subordinate parts of Ramsay's works. Nasmyth returned to Edinburgh in 1778, where he worked as a portrait painter. Offered a loan by Patrick Miller of Dalswinton, Nasmyth left in 1782 for Italy, where he remained two years furthering his studies. In Italy he devoted most of his attention to landscape painting, and is recorded as having copied a work by Claude. Nasmyth returned to Scotland where for the next few years he continued his career as a portraitist. He painted some works in the style of Ramsay, but most were conversation pieces with outdoor settings. Alexander Nasmyth's pre-eminence as the seminal figure in the development of late 18th and early 19th century Scottish landscape painting has remained unchallenged since Wilkie's posthumous tribute to him as 'the founder of the landscape painting school of Scotland'. Nasmyth began to explore large-scale panoramic views of Scottish country houses and castles in which the desire for topographical accuracy was successfully united with a distinctive picturesque sensibility. The View of Tantallon Castle with the Bass Rock shows the Romantic transformation of this type of motif. Landscape artists of the nineteenth century embraced the wide-reaching Romantic movement and infused their compositions with passion and drama. It was at this time that the genre finally emerged as truly respectable within the art academies of Europe. Alexander Nasmyth (1758-1840) helped formulate the tradition of Scottish landscape painting, which focused in the mid-nineteenth century on the Highlands. Nasmyth died at home, 47 York Place (roughly opposite the house of Sir Henry Raeburn) in Edinburgh. He was buried in St Cuthbert's Churchyard at the west end of Princes Street. Our fine example with distinct rounded Castle turrets on the banks close to the waters edge, sits on a steep hillside amongst the greenery of the landscape. The artist has produced a beautiful example with the moon silhouette seen through a break in the clouds during late evening with the calm waters of the loch below reflecting the moonlight. A comprehensive work which captures the atmosphere and calmness of the lock. The swept frame is very ornate and finished in a rich antique gold. A wonderful painting which would suit multiple room locations and is in good condition for its age and ready to hang. Framed Measurements Height = 75 cm (29.5") Width = 106 cm (41.7") Depth = 7 cm (2.8") Telephone Enquiries: 07765 856171 Quote Ref 0872