Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Thomas Creswick and Richard Ansdell - The Nearest Way in Summer Time



Price Realized £41,125

signed and dated 'T Creswick/R Ansdell/1854' (lower left)
oil on canvas
48 x 72 in. (122 x 182 cm.)

London, Royal Academy, 1855, no. 440.

Art Journal, 1855, p. 178.
R. Todd, The Life of Richard Ansdell, R.A., Manchester, 1919, p. 18.

The Art Journal (op. cit.) recorded: 'In this large picture the left of the composition is filled by a farm-house overshaded by trees. The road - "the nearest way" - passes the enclosure, and leads to a pond which we may suppose from the title to be impassable in winter. The river is seen winding from distance to the foreground, and a team of roan horses, attached to a wood-waggon, are crossing. The horses are admirably drawn and painted'.

We are grateful to Peter Ansdell for his help in the preparation of this catalogue entry.

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