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Lot Essay
Frederick Richard Lee, born in Barnstaple, Devon, was one of the most successful and popular landscape painters of the 19th Century. As a young man he served in the army as an Ensign in the 56th Foot and took part in the ill-fated expedition of 1814 to Bergen-op-Zoom under the command of Sir George Graham, later created Lord Lynedoch. He resigned his commission on the grounds of ill-health and in 1818 enrolled as a student at the Royal Academy. His success was immediate, he exhibited at the British Institution in 1822 and at the Royal Academy two years later. In 1838, following the death of John Constable, who it appears was rather jealous of Lee's success, he was elected a full member of the Royal Academy. Lee attracted the patronage of William Wells of Redleaf and Lord Northwick, two of the most important patrons of the period. However, unlike the majority of his fellow Academicians, Lee was more interested in fishing, sailing, shooting, mechanics and photography, than amassing a fortune and reputation by his art. Lee predominantly painted views in Devon and Scotland. He often collaborated with Thomas Sidney Cooper (1803-1902) and occasionally with Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-1873), and continued to paint idealised landscapes until he retired from the Royal Academy in 1872.
This series of four views of the River Almond on the Lynedoch estate near Perth, are part of the original set of five, which, according to the original labels, were painted for William and Elizabeth Whitbread and were in their possession by October 1838. The Lynedoch estate had been purchased in 1787 by Sir George Graham, who was married to Mary Cathcart, a celebrated society beauty and the subject of one of Thomas Gainsborough's portraits. Graham was created Lord Lynedoch following the success of his command during the Peninsula War. Although Lee may have known Lynedoch, the River Almond was known at that time for its fine fishing and this may have attracted Lee, a keen fisherman, to the area. A large oil Old Bridge at Lynedoch over the River Almond, was exhibited at the British Institution in 1839.
This series of four views of the River Almond on the Lynedoch estate near Perth, are part of the original set of five, which, according to the original labels, were painted for William and Elizabeth Whitbread and were in their possession by October 1838. The Lynedoch estate had been purchased in 1787 by Sir George Graham, who was married to Mary Cathcart, a celebrated society beauty and the subject of one of Thomas Gainsborough's portraits. Graham was created Lord Lynedoch following the success of his command during the Peninsula War. Although Lee may have known Lynedoch, the River Almond was known at that time for its fine fishing and this may have attracted Lee, a keen fisherman, to the area. A large oil Old Bridge at Lynedoch over the River Almond, was exhibited at the British Institution in 1839.