Albert Goodwin, R.W.S. (1845-1932)
Goodwin first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1860 at the age of 15, with an oil painting entitled Under the Hedge. At this early stage in his career he came under the influence of the Pre-Raphaelite painters Arthur Hughes and Ford Madox Brown and it was through them that he was introduced to John Ruskin. Ruskin took him on a trip to Italy in 1872 with Arthur Severn. It was a journey that was to give him an unassailable yearning for travelling on the Continent. He travelled widely in Europe, India, Egypt and the South Sea Islands. In April 1909 Goodwin went with his wife and two daughters on a six week Swiss tour paid for by the sale of a book of drawings and an arrangement with Leggatt. 'It is good to find and see with one's eyes a country that needs no idealization, but is beautiful at every turn' he wrote. (Diary, p.113, 16 May 1909). On their arrival in Lucerne he noted 'the whole town is so overgrown with gigantic new spick and span hotels that little is left, save the tower; the two old bridges and the green water to rejoice in (Diary, p.114, 23 May 1909). The clarity of light and the spectactular vistas of Switzerland were to prove a major source of inspiration for the artist who's quickly executed sketches of the Alps prompted Ruskin to describe as 'often literally flying memoranda ... for pure artistic delight, an untouched sketch of Albert Goodwin's on the spot is better than any finished drawing.'
Albert Goodwin, R.W.S. (1845-1932)
Details
Albert Goodwin, R.W.S. (1845-1932)
The Town of Spiez on Lake Thun, Switzerland
signed and dated 'Albert Goodwin 1918' and inscribed 'Spiez. Lake Thun'; pen and black ink, and bodycolour
9 5/8 x 14 3/8in. (24.4 x 36.5cm.)
The Town of Spiez on Lake Thun, Switzerland
signed and dated 'Albert Goodwin 1918' and inscribed 'Spiez. Lake Thun'; pen and black ink, and bodycolour
9 5/8 x 14 3/8in. (24.4 x 36.5cm.)