Colin Hunter Seascape Provenance?

Recently I purchased a fantastic 16"x20" (canvas) Colin Hunter, RA seascape from a gallery in the UK. Probably post 1884 as that was the year he was elected to the RA. The painting's 3-1/2" deep frame and overall condition are excellent. No repairs to the canvas, no apparent touch-ups on blacklight, and just a couple small blemishes. Also, the painting apparently has a traceable provenance. If you have a free moment and access to auction databases, I would be very grateful for any research. The earliest sale at auction I can find was in 2019 (don't have access to pricing):

Colin Hunter - Wikipedia

SEASCAPE by Colin Hunter on artnet

Thanks a bunch!






More pictures:

https://imgur.com/gallery/XE9anAT

 

Similar seascape ...

 

Search the exhibition catalogs here ...
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/search/exhibition-catalogues?all_fields=Colin+Hunter
If it was exhibited, maybe a title will fit the scene.

 

I paid a fraction of the auction price above, although this painting is a good deal smaller. I still wonder- why do some nice 19th century paintings sell for much less than impressionist and modernist pieces?

Appreciate the help. I found a few titles that may match but haven't confirmed anything yet. Do you think the word underneath "Hunter" is "London"?

P.S. I could be wrong but suspect this was painted around the same time as the piece in the above auction. The style of the signature and rock features are similar.

 

It does look like "London."

Debora

 

it also looks like the same rocks...the same seaside locale within a few meters!

 

Perhaps each is painted from a different angle? In mine the viewer appears to be turned facing further to the right and down towards the rocks. I wonder where this place is? Hunter named many of his seascapes after their locations. Would be wild to track down the specific spot he worked from.

P.S. You can even see the same steam ship in the background. Wild!

 

Something to do with sunset? That gives an idea of location. West vs. east coast of Scotland (if not one of the islands.)

Debora

 

(Of course, he also painted in other locations.)

Debora

 

Could be cliffs on the Isle of Skye? In 1899 he apparently exhibited "Kyles of Skye".

Doubt this is the exact spot but the rock features look similar here: Isle of Skye cliffs Photograph by Derek Croucher | Pixels

 

Those cliffs really loom. Wonder if an exageration for the purpose of creating atmosphere.

Debora

 

For sure could be. If the cliffs are accurate though, I wonder if the "loominess" could make it easier to track down a location. Here's a picture with less glare.

 

The frame looks period to the work and is likely it's first and only frame - very ornate which was the standard 120 years ago. Many folks switch out to a simple frame on such works today, which opens up a debate whether this should be done or not. Pictured is an ornate frame removed from a Van Gogh self portrait by a major museum in favor of a simple gold frame, citing that the ornate frame distracted from the painting ? ?

 

Like all the French Impressionist paintings that ended up with grand gilded frames which was not the wish of their painters.

Debora

 

I find the older, more ornate frames very interesting...if, as did the museum, a bit distracting. But that frame was carved to fit the Van Gogh; the corners declare that with reasonable certainty.

Once again, this is revisionist history at work. Sigh...

 

I wonder how other 19th century painters felt about the frames they used? Did Mr. Hunter prefer this ornate frame or was his choice mostly driven by market demand? Perhaps he thought it would help draw viewers?

Here are details on his house. IMO not minimalist:

1877 – Colin Hunter’s House & Studio, Kensington, London – Archiseek – Irish Architecture

He had his RA picture taken while in front of a painting with a large/ornate frame:

Colin Hunter A.R.A. | Works of Art | RA Collection | Royal Academy of Arts

The frame on this seascape is IMO fantastic with serious depth and gilded details along the back edge as well. Perhaps it distracts from the painting somewhat but perhaps the painter intended that (the impressionism debate in reverse)?

I asked my family and friends for their thoughts and most said "now that's a real painting" while generally referring to the frame. I don't believe that the frame defines the painting, however it definitely seems to help draw initial interest.




P.S. Here's the frame (needs repair) on a winter scene by an unknown painter from 1894 I believe. Personally, I would stick with whatever the painter intended and if they intended to use a massive ornate frame I can't complain!

 

Beautiful painting!

 

Fine piece w/ lots of documentation on the Artist.