A View of Westmorland
Artist
George Morland
(British, 1763-1804)
CultureEnglish
Date1792
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsOverall: 40 1/2 x 56 1/2 in. (102.9 x 143.5 cm)
Overall, Frame: 49 1/4 x 65 1/4 in. (125.1 x 165.7 cm)
Overall, Frame: 49 1/4 x 65 1/4 in. (125.1 x 165.7 cm)
InscribedSigned and dated 1792 bottom center of saddlebag.
Credit LineGift of Morrie A. Moss, Memphis
Object number74.5.2
Not on view
DescriptionThis is an oil on canvas painting. A peasant family in the foreground, involved in an act of smuggling, approach a boat where two men await them. A lush landscape on the English coast surrounds them.Label TextGeorge Morland English (1763-1804) A View of Westmorland, 1792 Oil on canvas Gift of Morrie A. Moss 74.5.2 The finest paintings of Morland's London career were his English country scenes of the early 1790s - picturesque views of stable interiors and landscapes with gypsies, smugglers, and peasants. Among them is his View of Westmorland, which combines an idyllic evocation of England's Lake District with a rustic scene from peasant life. In the painting a family proceeds toward the shore where two men await them in a boat. The woman's rather anxious, covert glance suggests that she and her family are actually involved in smuggling contraband, an activity often shown in Morland's landscapes. With landscapes like this, Morland forged a view of English country life that affected native artists for generations. ProvenanceMiss Martineau, Norwich; John Heugh, Esq., London; Thomas Agnew & Sons; Edward Ashworth, Esq.; Vicars; Barnet Lewis, Esq.; Clements; Mr. T. Jefferson Coolidge, 1939; Findlay Galleries, New York, 1961; Mr. and Mrs. Morris A. Moss, Memphis; Gift of Mr. Morrie A. Moss to the Chrysler Museum, 1974. Exhibition HistoryLoaned to The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, June 14 - Sept. 22, 1939, from the collection of T. Jefferson Coolidge (probably in conjunction with the exhibition "Art in New England: Paintings, Drawings, Prints from Private Collections in New England). "Reopening of the Joan P. Brock Galleries," Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Va., Opening in March of 2008. "Selected Paintings from the Mr. and Mrs. Morrie A. Moss Collection," Brooks Memorial Art Gallery, Memphis Jan. - Feb., 1965. (Exhib. cat. no. 26 as "Landscape with Figures"). Published ReferencesCatalogue. _Catalogue of the Important Collection of Ancient and Modern Pictures...of John Heugh, Esq._. London: Christie, Manson & Woods. 05/10/1878: p. 30, no. 228. Catalogue. _Catalogue of Pictures by Old Masters and Works of the Early English School, the Property of Sir George Elliot, Bart...and from Numerous Private Collections_. London: Christie, Manson & Woods. 07/08/1905: p. 3, no. 19. Catalogue. _Catalogue of the Important Collection of Ancient and Modern Pictures and Watercolour Drawings, the Property of Barnet Lewis, Esq., Removed from 2 Hamilton Place, W.1 and Foxbush, Hildenborough, Kent_.. London: Christie, Manson & Woods. 02/28/1930: No. 112. Chrysler Museum. _Selections from the Permanent Collection: The Chrysler Museum_. Norfolk, VA: Chrysler Museum of Art. 1982:p. 52. Jefferson C. Harrison. _The Chrysler Museum Handbook of the European and American Collections: Selected Paintings, Sculpture and Drawings_. The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA, 1991, p. 82, #62.
