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Paintings · Late 19th century
Venice by Moonlight with Boats off a Campanile
After J. M. W. Turner · Watercolour on paper, late 19th century
Artist After J. M. W. Turner Medium Watercolour on paper mounted to painter’s board Signature No signature Frame In a modern moulded gilt frame Date Late 19th century Dimensions 11½ × 7½ inches (sight); 19½ × 15½ inches (frame) Condition Very good condition, glue residue from old mount to extremities, concealed under subsequent mount.
The present charming and exquisite watercolour is based on a watercolour sketch done by Turner in 1840, one of a number of sketches in a sketchbook that Turner used to jot down ideas that could form the basis of subsequent paintings, whether watercolours or oils.
A handwritten label affixed to an old wood backing to the painting, now lost, ascribes the piece to Amy Durell, most likely Amy Clara Durell (1865–1950), a noted portrait painter and fellow of the Royal Academy. If the attribution is correct, the present work was likely an early study.
A truly charming and evocative after Turner, magnificently catching the original’s subtle colour palette and brooding light. The Turner original is in the Tate collection, London (view at Tate.org.uk).
$2,000