Not only do I produce pictures; I also collect those by others.
This particular one, in its 'country house condition' frame, is by Scottish artist Murray Urquhart. I bought it back in the late 60's from a grotty Worthing junk shop. I exchanged £4 for it.
Urquhart was a quality painter (you can read more about him here, as told by his son), and his paintings now sell for reasonable money; the above being worth round about 100 times what I paid for it (still not a huge amount).
Whilst recently looking for info' about Urquhart, I noticed that he lived from 1880 to 1972, meaning that he was still alive when I bought my landscape. I wish I'd known that at the time.
His son, Sir Brian Urquhart, later became Under-Secretary General to the United Nations.
The above picture sits at the end of my dining table. Some time ago we were about 8 at table when mention of the picture was made, when I asked around if people liked it, NONE said yes. Frankly I was amazed.
ReplyDeleteApparently there was a recent poll done nationwide, to find out what kind of painting most people would like in there living room, and most wanted a country scene, with some animals and a couple of people in it.
ReplyDeleteI used to manage a West End Gallery (now long gone). Any paintings or watercolours that had cows in them were sent down to a man in Dorking Surrey who would remove them. Fashions change.
DeleteFascinating post Cro, thankyou for the link. Jan B.
ReplyDeleteEvidently I am unsuitable to sit at your table. Naturally, it was the photo of the painting which drew my eye to your blog post and my first thought was, 'I like that'. Having read the post I was slightly disappointed but relieved, when reading Gary's comment, that the lack of a few animals and a couple of people means that our tastes are not entirely plebeian,
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw it in the junk shop, that was my first reaction too. I still like it, even if others don't.
DeleteBesides, I'd love to own a painting by anyone pronouncing the name of whom would lead my fellow diners to fear I was choking on a fish bone...
DeleteI don't somehow see it on my wall but it has some elements to it like clouds and reflections..
ReplyDeleteI like the picture. There is something quiet but powerful in it,
ReplyDeleteHe does a lovely job on reflections.
ReplyDeleteArt is so personal isn't it Cro ? …… I was never a great Constable fan and your painting does remind me of his work but, Mr. Urquhart's work is much more pleasing to the eye …….. uncomplicated. XXXX
ReplyDeleteMany of Constable's full size sketches are more Impressionist than the Impressionists. Urquhart was much influenced by them.
DeleteI love the painting, it would look right at home in my humble abode.
ReplyDeleteThat was an interesting article by his son. I doubt Mr. Urquhart ever won a father of year award!
Yet 'Brian' went to Westminster School and Oxford, so they must have had the wherewithal.
DeleteI like the picture very much Cro. think it is so important that the stuff we hang on our walls is what we personally like. I like the frame too - so many people seem to think that every picture needs a 'new' frame if the old one is getting a bit past its best. In this case I think the frame enhances the picture too. Where is the scene - do you know?
ReplyDeleteHe did a lot of work around Sussex, so I like to think it might be near Arundel which is the only place I know which looks similar. It might also explain why I found the painting where I did.There's nothing on the back.
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ReplyDeleteM. Silvius ~ contact Librarian over at https://www.blogger.com/profile/05704656564078750607 ~ she is based in Germany and might give you some tips on where to start.
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