Harry E. James

Available for sale from Big Sky Fine Art; this original watercolour by Harry E. James dating from the late 19th century.<br> The work is presented and supplied in a Mid-20th century frame (which is shown in these photographs) and mount and behind glass. <br> This antique painting is in superb condition. It wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display.<br> The watercolour is signed lower left.<br> <br> Harry E James was a fine watercolour artist who specialised in capturing the landscape of southern Britain and Brittany. He lived in Heavitree near Exeter, Upton near Andover, Mevagissey in Cornwall and Primrose Hill in London and exhibited widely, including at the Royal Academy.<br> His works show fine detail, and have an air of serenity.<br> <br> This delightful watercolour depicts a scene on Babbacombe Beach, Torquay in the county of Devon. The rolling cliffs meet the shingle of the shore and then, in the distance, dip into the sea itself. There is green grass and foliage on top of the cliffs and areas of exposed rock face showing the stone to be a soft reddish colour. The sea is a soft pale blue and conditions are calm and sunny. There is a small white sailing yacht in the bay and groups of bathers in the shallows. On the beach itself there is a row of a dozen or so bathing huts with red flags on their roofs, around which are several rowing boats. There are families and children enjoying the beach, some playing, some just sitting. Our focus is on a lady in a deck chair on the foreground who is wearing a straw hat and a long pink skirt. The overall palette of the painting is soft warm muted colours, reflecting the mood of quiet contentment. This painting is about the beauty of the coastline, and simple joys in an era of elegance and modesty.