James Duffield Harding (1798-1863) - 'Arona, Lake Maggiore' & 'Orta' (verso)
James Duffield Harding received his artistic education from his father J. Harding, who then sent him to Samuel Prout for further lessons and apprenticed him to the engraver Charles Pye. [1] Harding did not enjoy engraving and focused his attention on landscape painting and was elected an associate member of the Old Water-Colour Society in 1820 before becoming a full Member in 1821.
Harding travelled to Italy on at least 4 occasions (1824, 1831, 1834 and 1845). However, our watercolour shows he went at least once more in 1844 with both works inscribed with this date. Harding also visited Gibraltar, the Rhine in 1834 and 1837, and Normandy in 1842. [1] Throughout his career Harding was a devoted teacher and drawing master publishing various books to help students. Harding also worked for Hullmandel and other publishers with lithographs and prints after drawings by Lewis, Bonington, Roberts and Stanfield, as well as his own wokrs. Ruskin also called Harding 'after Turner, unquestionably [he is] the greatest master of foliage in Europe. [1]
Our watercolour most likely came from Harding's sketchbook as it has an impressive drawing of Lake Orta on the reverse on the same sheet. This is not visible as it is hidden inside the frame but we have included photographs of it. The drawing of Arona on Lake Maggiore is a coloured study by Harding and shows his skill at painting landscapes. Perhaps this was a compositional study for a larger picture that Harding painted of the scene.
This picture has excellent provenance having once been in the esteemed collection of Michael Ingram and then sold as part of his collection with Sotheby's in 2005.
We also have a second work by Harding of Gibraltar currently for sale.
Medium: Pencil and watercolour on paper, 'Arona, Lake Maggiore' (recto), inscribed 'Arona June 7 1844'; 'Lake Orta' (verso), inscribed 'Orta June 11 1844', 23.8 x 35.4cm, framed.
Provenance: Ex Michael Ingram Collection (acquired in 1949); His posthumous sale, Sotheby's, London 'The Ingram Collection' 8 December 2005 (part lot); Robinson Family, Taunton (label verso).
Literature:
[1] Huon Mallieu (2002), 'The Dictionary of British Watercolour Artists up to 1920: Volume I A-L', Antique Collectors Club: Woodbridge, p.292. See entry on artist.
Condition report: Some time staining obvious and small amounts of foxing noticeable in the clouds. There are a few small dots in the sky which appear to be paint and probably from Harding whilst he was painting in his sketchbook. The drawing verso of Lake Orta also has some time staining. Please see photographs. Note, the photographs have been taken in slightly different lighting, the closest to how it appears is the title photograph.