~ Imposing Derelict Off Bamburgh Castle Oil Painting By Thomas Bush Hardy ~
This monumental painting depicts the storm tossed wreck of a sloop which has lost its masts, one is seen to the left, off a fortified Northumberland shoreline, all in mute tone as befits the foul weather.
In the background can be seen seagulls, a three masted ship and a smaller sailing vessel.
The painting is signed and dated in the left corner “T.B. Hardy 1875”.
The gilt mount of the glazed frame reads “The Derelict. Off the Northumberland Coast T. B. Hardy, R.B.A.”.
For your interest, it came from a West Sussex hotel, where it was hung in the lounge for over 70 years.
~ Dimensions ~
The paintings width is 46 inches (116.84 cm) and its height is 29 inches (73.66 cm).
The frame width is 57.5 inches (146.05 cm), its height is 40.2 inches (101.65 cm) and its depth is 4.2 inches (10.66 cm).
It weighs 25.4 Kg.
~ Condition ~
The frame has minor signs of wear, like small surface cracks of the paint, but remains solid and looks fine.
The canvas has the some surface cracklature of the paint in places.
~ Thomas Bush Hardy ~
Thomas Bush Hardy (1842, Sheffield – 1897, Maida Vale, London) was one of the most successful and prolific artists in an era when English marine painting in watercolour reached its zenith. He was one of the few artists who took the trouble to study, understand and then reproduce all the elements of a successful marine watercolour.
In 1884 Hardy was elected a Member of the Royal Society of British Artists, with which he exhibited between 1871 and 1897. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy.
His paintings, featuring brightly coloured coastal scenes, illustrate his travels up and down the English coast, the Dutch beaches, the French Channel ports and the Venetian Lagoon.