Oil on Canvas, 100x87cm. James Horton R.B.A. b.1948 James Horton studied first at the Sir John Cass School of Art and then at the Royal College of Art. He was quickly given his first one-man show at the Hay Galleries, Hay on Wye and quickly followed with others in Belfast, Dublin, Cambridge and Stockholm. Horton has exhibited at many principal London galleries including the Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Portrait Society, New English Art Club etc. Additional information on request.

Oil on Canvas, 37x40cm. Costa 1867-1931 An important portrait from the Newlyn School by the highly desirable portrait painter John da Costa. The painting is signed and importantly dated 1890 when Newlyn painting and painters were at the height of their influence in British art. In 1890 a writer mentioned Stanhope Forbes' old studio and then went on 'Now it is occupied by the youngest member of the Newlyn colony, Mr. John da Costa, fresh from the Paris schooles, and barely twenty three, has yet had a picture on the line at the Grovesnor and another at the Academy'. John da Costa was born in Teignmouth and was recognised as an artist of great potential early in his career by Frederick, Lord Leighton. He received awards at the Paris Salon in 1906 and 1907, and he was a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. In 1974 a memorial exhibition was dedicated to John da Costa of paintings from the collection of Mrs. Elizabeth M. Richards at Leighton House, London.

Oil on Canvas, 13x17cm. Stirling 1820 - 1871 Provenance: Exhibited at the Royal Academy 1853. John Stirling first exhibited three portraits at the Royal Academy in 1852. In the same year Holman Hunt's masterpiece 'The Hireling Shepherd' was hung in the Academy and it is more than likely that John Stirling would have seen the work of the Pre-Raphaelites for the first time on a visit to London from Aberdeen to see his own work hung. The work of the Pre-Raphaelites was first seen in 1849 and the brotherhood existed for a period of about five years from that date. It seems certain that John Stirling was impressed by the work of the Pre-Raphaelites and was influenced by them when he produced his painting 'The Lassie and the Lamb', which was exhibited at the Academy in 1853. The technique used by such artists as Holman Hunt and Millais was to paint in pure colour on a white, wet ground which produced a distinctive luminosity as was a technique Stirling also employed in 'The Lassie and the Lamb'. Similarly, the Pre-Raphaelite's great attention to detail and most particularly in the cases of Hunt and Millais, their wish to reflect nature accurately is reflected in John Stirling's painting. While the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was not without its detractors, Charles Dickens for one, its great champion was the foremost Victorian critic and painter John Ruskin. He took notice of the work of John Stirling and in 'Academy Notes' of 1855 commented on Stirling's Academy painting: 'The Scottish Presbyterians' describing it as '...a very acceptable picture, showing careful study and good discrimination.' The title of the painting 'The Lassie and the Lamb' is taken from Wordsworth's poem 'The Pet Lamb', a pastoral. In later works, the artist took poetry for a direct inspiration for his subjects which were the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's oeuvre. The Pre-Raphaelites had a considerable influence on a number of painters and there can be little doubt that John Stirling's painting 'The Lassie and the Lamb' falls safely into the Pre-Raphaelite category. John Stirling exhibited his first works at the Royal Academy in 1852 and continued to exhibit there until 1871, the year he died. His first paintings were exhibited from an Aberdeen address, although it seems he also lived in London, since the pictures were sent both from Aberdeen and London during his active years. A number of his later works are a result of his visits to Morocco in 1868 and 1869. His three exhibits at the Royal Academy in 1869 were 'Al Sok', a market in Morocco, 'Repas Honnetre' and Al-Ghirab, a water seller in Morocco.

Oil on Canvas, 78x94cm. b.1926 Ken Paine was born in Lambeth, London in 1926. He studied at Twickenham College of Art and later with R.O. Dunlop RA. After travelling extensively for several years, the artist settled in the United States. It was during this time that he further developed his interest in portraiture, and of the character studies which have become his life's work. He travelled all around the States, painting people from all walks of life, before returning to England to set up his studio. Since 1962 the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the Pastel Society have exhibited his work, and his commissions have included many dignitaries and celebrities. Paine is a member of the Pastel Society and the Societie des Pastellistes de France. He has won numerous awards for his portraiture both in the UK and France. His work has been exhibited widely over the years and he has held many solo exhibitions. In 1999 a major retrospective of his work was stages in Bath Museum. In 2004 Toulouse Museum acquired two of his works. Ken Paine works in all media, but pastel is the medium for which he is most well known. His work leans towards the romantic and shows genuine pathos without being sentimental. The vitality revealed in his portraits can be awe-inspiring. The artist's empathy with his subjects produces a quite unique artistic result which is admired world wide. A beautifully illustrated biography: 'Ken Paine - His life and work' by Michael Simonow, was published by Mechanick Excersises in 1997. In 2001 an hour long documentary on his life and work was commissioned by Sky Television's cultural channel. Purchased from a private collection, full provenance and additional information is available.

Oil on Canvas, 22x16cm. Maccrossan 1863 - 1934 Ex private collection. Provenance: Royal Academy Exhibit 1898 'White Gigs' no. 513 (This was Mary Maccrossans first Royal Academy Exhibit, purchased by the Liverpool Corporation in 1928). One of the most gifted of the early St. Ives painters, Mary Maccrossan won the acclaim of not only her critics but also her fellow artists. She was born in Liverpool and studied at the Liverpool School of Art then at Delacluse's in Paris and finally in St. Ives with Julius Olsson. This exceptional work with its silver grey palette illustrates her at her best. She exhibited at numerous leading London and Provincial galleries. Further details available on request.

Oil on Canvas, 118x64cm. Nathaniel Hughes John Baird R.O.I. 1865 - 1935 Nathaniel Baird was born in Yetholm in Roxburghshire and was the son of John Baird the minister who is famed for his work in reforming the gypsy population and particularly for the founding of the first 'Ragged Schools'. Baird first studied under his father and then at the Coldstream Academy, Edinburgh, then London and later Paris. He had his first Royal Academy work accepted in 1883 and exhibited at many of the principal galleries from that date including the R.O.I. of which he was elected a member. He was equally at home with both oil and watercolour and a favourite subject was the heavy horse at work. He continued to exhibit until the 1930's. He moved to Devon in 1880 living at Dawlish where he was given an interesting commission by the Miller family of Torquay to paint portraits of the family. One of the sitters was the youngest daughter Agatha who was to gain worldwide fame as the crime writer Agatha Christie. Following the death of his wife in 1919 he moved from Devon to Sussex where he died in 1935.