British Maritime 19th Century Oil Painting Cornish Fisherman With Catch by Richard Harry Carter

Details

Description

Antique British Maritime Oil Painting Cornish Fisherman by Richard Harry Carter

An atmospheric antique British oil painting by Richard Harry … Read more Antique British Maritime Oil Painting Cornish Fisherman by Richard Harry Carter

An atmospheric antique British oil painting by Richard Harry Carter (1839–1911), portraying a Cornish fisherman working aboard his boat against a dramatic coastal backdrop. Signed lower right and presented in a traditional oak frame, with documented auction provenance and a historic label fragment verso.

Highlights

- Original antique British oil on canvas.
- Signed *R. H. Carter*, lower right.
- Expressive portrait-like composition of a working fisherman.
- Traditional maritime costume and fishing equipment.
- Rich green, grey, brown and muted red colour palette.
- Artist associated with the Newlyn artistic community.
- Fragmentary historic exhibition or sale label verso.
- Documented auction appearances in 2021 and 2023.
- Later oak frame with gilt-coloured inner slip.
- Framed approximately 35.43 × 26.38 × 0.79 inches.

Introduction

A distinctive historic maritime painting combining closely observed figurative detail with the atmosphere of Cornwall's traditional fishing communities.

The textured oil surface, expressive subject and warm-toned oak frame create a compelling example of British coastal art.

Catalogue Details

Artist: Richard Harry Carter (1839–1911).

Alternative name: Richard Henry Carter.

Title: *Fisherman Releasing the Catch*.

Earlier auction title: *A Fisherman at Work*.

Period: Late Victorian / Edwardian.

Date: Late 19th to early 20th century; undated.

Medium: Original oil on canvas.

Signature: Lower right.

Origin: British, Cornish subject.

Frame: Later oak with gilt-coloured inner slip.

Catalogue Note

The composition centres upon a weather-beaten fisherman carefully extracting a curved hook from the mouth of a substantial fish.

His dark broad-brimmed hat, heavy green knitted jersey and red neckerchief introduce contrasting textures and colours.

The artist gives particular attention to the fisherman's expressive face and hands, allowing the activity itself to become the principal narrative.

A traditional wicker basket and additional fish appear within the boat, while gulls, rolling waves and a distant sail establish the broader maritime setting.

The painting's vertical format emphasises the fisherman as an individual, creating a portrait-like treatment of traditional coastal labour.

The contrast between the fisherman's quiet concentration and the restless sea contributes to the work's atmospheric quality.

The precise coastal location, boat and sitter remain unidentified.

The Artist – Richard Harry Carter (1839–1911)

Richard Harry Carter was born in Truro, Cornwall, in 1839.

He developed a career as a painter of maritime subjects, coastal landscapes and scenes depicting fishing communities.

Carter exhibited at the Royal Academy and Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours.

He lived in Falmouth during the 1880s and held an exhibition of Shetland subjects at Arthur Tooth & Sons, London, in 1891.

In 1895, he participated in Newlyn Art Gallery's opening exhibition.

By 1901, Carter was living with a fisherman and his family at Sennen Cove.

His later artistic practice included increasing use of oil paint.

He travelled to Holland with Walter Langley in 1904 and died at Sennen in 1911.

His paintings are represented in British public collections, including the Royal Cornwall Museum and Falmouth Art Gallery.

Original Signature and Historic Label

Signed *R. H. Carter* at the lower right.

The reverse bears a damaged historic exhibition or sale label with printed fields for the exhibitor's name, address, title and price.

The original institution and date have not been identified.

A possible handwritten £25 price remains unverified.

The label was recorded in the painting's 2021 auction description.

Provenance

Earlier ownership unidentified.

Lay's Auctioneers, Penzance, *Cornish Art and Fine Art Sale*, 13 May 2021, Lot 303, *A Fisherman at Work*.

Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers, *The Spring Fine Art Catalogue Sale*, March 2023, Lot 1007, *Fisherman Releasing the Catch*.

Acquired by Cheshire Antiques Consultant at Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers in March 2023.

Subsequently recorded within the fine art inventory of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Original acquisition documentation retained.

Exhibition History

The reverse retains a fragmentary label of apparent exhibition or gallery-sale type.

Its issuing institution, date and catalogue number remain unidentified.

Although Carter exhibited at prominent British galleries, no specific exhibition of the present painting has been verified.

Frame and Presentation

Presented in a later traditional dark oak frame with a narrow gilt-coloured inner slip.

The warm-toned wood and restrained moulding complement the historic maritime composition.

General surface wear is consistent with the frame's age and use.

The reverse retains the wooden stretcher and historic label fragment.

Dimensions

Framed: 26.38 inches Wide × 35.43 inches High × 0.79 inches Deep.

Metric equivalent: 67 cm Wide × 90 cm High × 2 cm Deep.

Canvas: Approximately 60–61 cm Wide × 82–84 cm High.

Published References

Art UK, *Richard Harry Carter (1839–1911)*.

Cornwall Artists Index, *Richard Henry Carter*.

Penlee House Gallery & Museum, *Every Corner Was a Picture: 165 Artists of Newlyn*.

Lay's Auctioneers, May 2021, Lot 303.

Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers, March 2023, Lot 1007.

Original historic exhibition or sale label fragment verso.


Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork's catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, exhibition history and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

Attribution and Research

The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis, dating and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available physical evidence, historic inscriptions, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.

These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance, identity of the fisherman, location of the scene, original exhibition venue or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.

Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.

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