Attrib. Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA, Falmouth from the Mills – early C19th watercolour
Attrib. Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA, Falmouth from the Mills – early C19th watercolour
Attrib. Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA, Falmouth from the Mills – early C19th watercolour
Attrib. Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA, Falmouth from the Mills – early C19th watercolour

Attrib. Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA Falmouth from the Mills

€1.393,95
€1.393,95
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An original early 19th-century watercolour painting – Attrib. Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA, Falmouth from the Mills.

A superb miniature drawing attributed to Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA (1793–1867), in brown ink, wash and bodycolour.

The Cornish view, showing Falmouth from the Mills, is a subject that was reproduced as an engraved frontispiece in the 1836 publication 'Stanfield's Coast Scenery'. The book is a series of views charting the British Channel, produced by Stanfield to satisfy the contemporary market for illustrated travel annuals. The text describes Falmouth as 'agreeably situated, consisting chiefly of one main street of neat houses; and the rising grounds behind overlooking the harbour and town, give to the scene a most interesting appearance.' Stanfield's illustration encapsulates this picturesque quality, the view framed with rustic waterwheel and figures.

The present drawing differs slightly from the engraved image, with fewer windows on the building at the left, differences to the configuration of boats and to the structure of the foreground. The work is executed with immense flair at miniature scale, with no discernable underdrawing. The inked lines are fine and the colouration is strong yet nuanced, with the most delicate of touches of bodycolour.

The two most compelling features of Stanfield as an artist are said to be his early experience as a seaman and his successful career as a scenic painter. His knowledge of the sea brought sensitivity and realism to his maritime subjects, whilst his training for the stage meant he was highly attuned to the power of atmospheric effects and suggested narrative.

John Ruskin considered his treatment of the sea and clouds to be of a very high order and believed his sketched works, especially in watercolour, to be superior to the often contrived picturesque qualities of many of his exhibited oils.

The miniature sheet has been mounted onto a backing sheet with window cut verso.

Provenance: William Drummond (Covent Garden Gallery, London). The paper mount bears Drummond's attribution.

+ Read the Artist Research

Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA (1793–1867)

Clarkson Frederick Stanfield RA RBA (1793–1867) was a prominent English painter who was best known for his large-scale paintings of dramatic marine subjects and landscapes. Born in Sunderland, a stone's throw from both the town's theatre and its seafront, his father, James Stanfield, was an Irish-born actor and former seaman. His mother, Mary Hoad, was an artist and actress, who died in 1801. James Clarkson was confirmed a Abolitionist and Clarkson was named after the anti-slavery lobbyist, the Reverend Thomas Clarkson.

In his youth he joined a South Shields collier to become a sailor, serving in the Royal Navy from 1808 until he was discharged on health grounds in 1814. Using his spare time to study marine subjects and develop his skills as a draughtsman, in 1815 he made a voyage to China on the East Indiaman Warley and returned with many sketches.

In 1816 Stanfield was engaged as a decorator and scene-painter at the Royalty Theatre in Wellclose Square, London. Along with David Roberts he was afterwards employed at the Coburg theatre, Lambeth, and in 1823 he became a resident scene-painter at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where he rose rapidly to fame through the huge quantity of spectacular scenery and dioramas that he produced for that house until 1834. Thereafter he abandoned scenery painting, making exceptions only for his personal friends, William Charles Macready and Charles Dickens.

Much of Stanfield's easel and theatrical work was based on extensive domestic and foreign tours. From 1823 onwards he regularly travelled abroad, touring France, Holland, Belgium and the Rhine, Italy, the Pyrenees and Northern Spain. In the 1830s this translated into much work for the illustrated travel publications of the day, including Heath's Picturesque Annuals.

Stanfield first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1820 and continued, with only a few early interruptions, to his death. He was also a founder member of the Society of British Artists, from 1824, and its president for 1829. In 1832 he was elected Associate Member of the Royal Academy, and became a full Academician in 1835. After a long period of deteriorating health Stanfield died in Hampstead, London, in 1867.

COA
+ Artwork Details

Dimensions: Height: 8.5cm (3.35") Width: 6.1cm (2.4")

Presented: Unframed.

Medium: Watercolour

Age: Early 19th-century

Signed: No.

Inscribed: Inscribed with artist's name below on backing paper.

Dated: --

Condition: In good condition for its age. The picture may have minor imperfections such as slight marks, toning, foxing, creasing or pinholes, commensurate with age. Please see photos for detail.In very good condition for its age. Colours and strong and bright. Very slight age toning to the paper. Historic adhesive marks to the corners verso. Please see photos for detail.

Stock number: KB-943