Charles Bentley Attributed: A fishing vessel offshore in a stiff breeze

Description

A fantastic period framed and mounted watercolour attributed to the renowned early 19th Century artist Charles Bentley. A fishing vessel offshore in a stiff breeze, a watercolour.

Size

Approximate size: 26 x 42 cm. Note some camera glare against the glass in one photo.

Condition

Our opinion is that this work is in excellent condition for a period work, nicely mounted in a frame.

Biography: Charles Bentley (1806 – 1854)

Water colour painter and engraver Charles Bentley is best-known for painting breezy scenes off the English coast. He was born in London; the son of a master carpenter. Bentley was apprenticed to print maker Theodore Fielding and later spent time in Paris with Theodore’s brother, water-colourist Newton Fielding. From 1827 Bentley made a modest living as an engraver and illustrator. He was elected a member of the Society of Painters in Water Colours (1843) and exhibited 209 works from 1834 to his death.

He was a friend of artist William Callow; with whom he made several sketching trips, including a tour of Normandy (1841). The two shared a home in Charlotte Street, Bloomsbury, from 1843 to 1846. Bentley died in Hampstead, at the age of 48.

Provenance

Sale, Phillips London, 14th July 1980, lot 62; where acquired by the previous owner and then via English auction.