A celebration of the natural beauty of the British Isles will be on offer at The Cotswold Auction Company's next specialist picture sale on the 18th of May. Auction goers will be treated to romantic landscapes, sweeping coastlines and enchanting detail of nineteenth century rural life in over 40 works comprising the remaining studio collection of Charles James Adams (1859 - 1931).
The great-granddaughter of this highly collectable artist is bringing the works to the open market for the first time since their creation, and considerable excitement is anticipated. Over 40 watercolours and oils and will be available for purchase – one of the principal works being a signed oil on canvas, Milking Time, reminiscent of the Pre-Raphaelite School. This depicts a cowherd bringing in the cattle at the end of the day, and the jewelled colours of a rainbow splitting a stormy sky contribute to the dramatic atmosphere. One interesting biographical detail is that the cowherd was Adams’ son (the present owner’s grandfather). This striking work measures 70 x 91 cm and is estimated at £3,000-£5,000.
Born in Gravesend, Kent, Adams became a prolific painter of landscapes, animals, history, and genre paintings. He studied at the Leicester School of Art (where he won the coveted Mulready Gold Medal for life drawing), and also studied with the great watercolourist Wilmot Pilsbury, whose influence is implicit.
He created a number of lithographs in his eary career, but found his forte in watercolour, though he subsequently worked mainly in oil.
He lived in Leicester, and later, in Sussex and in Surrey. The present collection reflects vividly his passion for these southern counties where he succeeds in capturing the changing effects of light and atmosphere at differing hours of the day, and seasons of the year. He also travelled in the Scottish Highlands and Islands and produced many exquisite scenes particularly in Skye.
Adams was a keen contributor to all the great exhibiting societies and institutions of the day in London, and the provinces including the Royal Academy (37) and Royal Instituition in London (30), and in Manchester and Liverpool. In later life he returned to the town of his birth to become Art Master at the Leicester School of Art.
The sale will take place at The Bingham Hall, King Street Cirencester and can be viewed on Thursday 20th May 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on the morning of sale from 8:30 a.m. Lots can also be viewed online at www.cotswoldauction.co.uk, and live online bidding is available with www.the-saleroom.com. For further details, please contact the auctioneers on 01242-256363 or 01285-642420 or by e-mail to info@cotswoldauction.co.uk. Illustrated catalogues can be obtained from the auctioneers, £3 post paid.
To preview other images in the sale click here:-
1. Oil on canvas, Milking Time, estimate £3,000-£5,000
 Oil on canvas, Milking Time, estimate £3,000-£5,000.JPG)
2. Oil in canvas, Sheep on a country lane in dappled sunlight, Autumn, estimate £1,000-£2,000
 Oil in canvas, Sheep on a country lane in dappled sunlight, Autumn, estimate £1,000-£2,000.JPG)
3. Oil on canvas, ‘End of a Winter’s Day’ estimate £2,000-£3,000
 Oil on canvas, ‘End of a Winter’s Day’ estimate £2,000-£3,000.JPG)
4. Watercolour, Chickens and Geese in a Farmyard, Cattle and Sheep grazing in a meadow beyond, estimate £500-£800
 Watercolour, Chickens and Geese in a Farmyard, Cattle and Sheep grazing in a meadow beyond, estimate £500-£800.JPG)
5. Watercolour, A Wayside Chat, estimate £400-£600
 Watercolour, A Wayside Chat, estimate £400-£600.JPG)
6. Watercolour, A Sussex Mill, estimate £300-£400
 Watercolour, A Sussex Mill, estimate £300-£400.JPG)