Mowers, oil painting by Arthur Walker Redgate

A fine oil on board depicting a harvesting scene and titled ‘Mowers’ by Arthur Walker Redgate 1860-1906. The landscape is full of summer colour and the activity of harvesttime, with an interesting oblique view across the rows of cut grass full of wildflowers. The work is typically signed A.W.Redgate to the lower right. Arthur Walker Redgate was born in Nottingham in 1860, his father Sylvanus Redgate was a photographer and portrait artist and his mother was Elizabeth Walker, the origin of his middle name. He was probably initially taught by his father but most likely was also tutored at the Nottingham School of art. By the age of 20, he had established himself as a landscape artist and began exhibiting from around 1880. He made his debut at the Royal Academy in 1886 and continued exhibiting there throughout his life. Redgate was a member of the Nottingham Society of Artists, later becoming vice president and exhibited at the Nottingham Castle Museum. He also exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists as well at the Royal Society of Artists, Birmingham City Gallery and the Walker Art Gallery. He is most well-known for harvest and rural views painted where he lived in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and the river Trent area. Examples of his work can be found at the Castle Donnington Museum, Nottingham Castle Museum and Wollaton Hall. This work is a wonderfully free piece painted plein air, with a great feeling of place and time. The painting is in great untouched condition, painted on board which has the original label on the reverse. The gilt frame is most likely the original and in good condition. C.1890.
Overall sizes in inches including frame: 13 ½ by 9 ½