Colin Hunter
The Old Mill
19th century

About the Item

The Old Mill is a 19th century oil painting on board by Scottish artist Colin Hunter, (1841-1904). Hunter was a member of the Royal Academy with the title ARA on the nameplate of this work. Born in Glasgow, Hunter lived by the Clyde River where he grew up sketching from nature. The Old Mill is painted in fine detail, with the stream rapids and waterfalls between cliffs. The old water mill and stone buildings perch on the waters edge in this picturesque scene. The painting is done in earthy tones and greens, with the central waterfall and rapids. Old stone buildings and the water wheel are featured beside the water. After schooling, Hunter became a clerk in a shipping office in Glasgow. There he met artists and a journalist that encouraged him and taught him landscape painting. His work by the sea and his plein art outdoors painting like this one, led to a body of work in landscapes, seascapes, beaches and harbors. After four years as a clerk, Hunter became a full time artist, exhibiting in the Glasgow Institute of Fine Art and Royal Scottish Academy. By 1868 Hunter was producing notable work, and in 1884 he became an Associate with the Royal Academy in London, (ARA). He exhibited widely, with more than 100 paintings exhibited and sold in Berlin, Vienna and Philadelphia as well as exhibits in the UK and particularly Scotland. His work is represented in museums and galleries. Over the years Hunter returned to Scotland nearly every year to paint, but lived in Kensington, London. He studied in Paris and traveled to Niagara Falls and the eastern US, but he is most known for his Scottish coastal paintings and fisher folk from the Scottish fishing villages. He also painted in Ireland, Devon, Cornwall, and in New York where he painted the Niagara Falls. Hunter is well versed in waterfall and coastal waters with rocks, and this painting demonstrates mastery of the waterfalls. The Old Mill is presented in a likely original 19th century wide gilt frame with relief pattern and inner lining. The painting is 18.5" high and 23.5" wide. The dimensions including the framing are 30" by 35". The frame has one outer area of loss touched up with gilt paint, but is otherwise in very good condition. The painting has a small wrinkle in the far upper left corner, and light craquelure visible under bright light in one or two areas. The central painting with waterfall, cliffs and old stone mill are in very good condition. Ready to take it home and hang it on your wall!

Creator:

Colin Hunter (1841 - 1904, Scottish)

Creation Year:

19th century

Dimensions:

Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 35 in (88.9 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)

Medium:

Oil,Board

Movement & Style:

Naturalistic

Period:

19th Century

Condition:

Very good overall condition. There is one loss on corner, and couple pin holes with light wear on the frame. Very light craquelure visible in one or two areas under bright light, and small corner crease.

Gallery Location:

Hillsborough, NC

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU2069211751682

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