This painting is not for sale.
Description: A fine British School watercolour by Paul Jacob Naftel (Guernsey, 1817-1891), RWS, titled, ‘Pentergore [sic], South Wales’ [Penllergare]. Depicted are two young women heading out for (or returning from) a row in a forested lake. Overhanging bows, and lush woodland growth surround the pair who are illuminated by a break in the overgrowth, an old bridge can be seen in the distant shade.
Notes: Naftel exhibits a superb understanding of technique, light, atmosphere, colour and perspective as well as a penchant for bodycolour. A review of the 1889 one-man exhibition held at the Fine Art Society in London stated: ‘There is a delicious quality about Mr. Paul Naftel’s best work, which it would be hard to convey in words. Something in the delicacy and skill of his handling and something in his choice of projects and accentuation of parts produces an aerial quality quite delightful to behold.”
This painting becomes particularly interesting when one considers the setting. During this period Penllergare, Wales, was the estate of the ever active Dillwyn Llewelyn family. The pioneering photographers John Dillwyn Llewelyn and Mary Dillwyn, and John’s wife the oft assistant photographer Emma Thomasina (Talbot) Dillwyn Llewelyn of the photographic Talbot family, would have lived on the estate with their six children including astronomer and photographer Thereza (Dillwyn Llewelyn) Story-Maskelyne and with close visiting relatives such as industrialist and politician Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn, lepidopterist and mountaineer Mary (Dillwyn) De La Beche Nicholl and industrialist and novelist Amy Dillwyn. Many of the family were early celebrated photographers and, fortunate for us, photographs exist of this exact site located on the upper lake. – The accuracy of Naftel’s watercolour is particularly stunning, especially in the arrangement of the lay of the land and positioning of the branches.
Markings: signed and dated lower right, ‘Paul J Naftel 1878’; original artist label verso, ‘Pentergore. / South Wales / by Paul Naftel.’; numbered in numerous places verso, “83AC”
(Sight): 11 ¼” High x 7 ¾” Wide
(Framed): 21 ¾” High x 17 ¾” Wide
Condition: Excellent – Ready for Display.
For Accuracy Only: the matte has some toning and the, likely original, frame has some wear to the extremities commensurate with age. The watercolour is bright and clean.
Provenance: Slater Branch of the Fernandez Family (UK). Descendant of Fernandez Brewers, and of Lt. Henry Walker who fought at the Battle of Trafalgar with Lord Nelson.
Artist Biography: Paul Jacob Naftel (Guernsey, 1817-1891) RWS. A self-taught artist Naftel taught drawing at Elizabeth College, Guernsey at at the Naftel Studio, London. He was highly praised by John Ruskin, and was the official artist for the eclipse expedition led by Perry. Naftel died at Strawberry Hill in September 1891. Both his daughter Maud Naftel and second wife (b. 1853) Isabel (Oakley) Naftel were distinguished artists.
