Augusto Moriani ( 19th / 20th century ) / James S. Morland

Sometimes skills of watercolorists are unbelievable.

We think the work of Augusto Moriani falls into that

category. He lived in the 19th and 20th century and

is known for his portraits of ordinary people in

watercolor. Work on paper. Dimensions: 40 / 57 cm. 

What immediately drew our attention was the super realistic

way he depicts the eyes of this man. And in order to study it

we took a detailed picture that you are able to enlarge by

clicking on it. But not only the eyes  - Also the hair has

been  done painstakingly precise!

The neck and the wrinkles near the eyes can be studied here.

And what surprises us the most was the year of production

in combination with the freshness this watercolor still has.

Work of Augusto Moriano are known to be produced between

1881 and 1903. He did oil paintings as well.

James S. Morland

A lovely watercolor in surprising fresh colors is what James 

S. Morland left us. Made in 1882, this descendant of George 

Morland, a famous painter around 1800. It depicts the: 

"Spring on the Conway" a title (and riddle) solved by Bob 

and Bobbie Loe. And in fact it reminds us a bit of a

wonderful day with them together with a walk in the 

neighborhood of the river Severn.

Close inspection is rewarding when looking at this detail.

The watercolor technique already is a difficult one but 

depicting the cows in this way is an art in itself.

The darker and lighter parts in this landscape are

making it vivid to our believe. It had its' original

encadrement but sadly that was too far gone. 

Strange and remarkable thing is that the painting

is backed with a wooden plate as was done more

often, probably as a protection against humidity.

The watercolor was sticked on a sturdy piece of cardboard

possibly done by the artist himself as he signed the back 

of the painting as well together with the title.

In a rather modern, quick and flush handwriting he

wrote both signature and place of painting on the back.

Really difficult to read but with the help of 

these two English people we got the solution.

Normally I would have backed the watercolor with an

acid free piece of paper but it won't help in this case as

this work is sticked on a kind of cardboard.

Work on paper. Dimensions: 29 / 40 cm.