Hesketh Davis Bell

Available for sale from Big Sky Fine Art; this original oil painting by Hesketh Bell, dating from around 1850.<br> The painting is presented and supplied in a mid 20th century ornate frame (which is shown in these photographs). The painted surfaces and canvas have benefitted from some restoration, cleaning and conservation, which took place in 2012 on our instructions. The canvas was lined during this restoration process. <br> This antique painting is now in very good condition. It wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display.<br> The painting is signed lower left.<br> <br> Hesketh Bell was an accomplished maritime and landscape artist. He was based in London, living in Loughborough Park, and later in Camberwell. Two of his paintings were exhibited at the British Institution in 1849. <br> <br> © Big Sky Fine Art <br> <br> This original oil on canvas has a palette of subtle natural shades, peaceful and calm. It gives us a glimpse of the famous Stonehenge, the best known Neolithic monument in Europe, as it appeared over a hundred and fifty years ago. The monument to the summer solstice, erected around 2500 BC appears in the distance, whilst Salisbury Plain, the chalk plateau in Wiltshire, central England, is depicted as vast and sparse. In the foreground of the painting is slightly higher land, with some grass and gorse, through which there is a worn path. Along the path a drover is walking with a couple of cattle and three sheep. We can tell that he has walked a long way, as the path behind him trails into the far distance. Between the drover and Stonehenge, we catch a glimpse of other travellers on the path. We think how privileged these people must have been to be able to walk right up to those ancient stones, to touch them and connect with their distant history. They probably took this wonderful landmark completely for granted, little knowing that by the twenty-first century this would be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, close to a major road, commercialised and protected from its many thousands of annual visitors.<br> <br> © Big Sky Fine Art<br> <br> We provide a professional shipping and delivery service which is free to customers in the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. We can also provide other worldwide delivery on any purchase. Please contact us for further information.<br> <br> For UK deliveries, prices are inclusive of VAT. We will supply a VAT invoice under the margin scheme for Work of Art as per the HMRC definition.<br> <br> For deliveries to EU countries, we will pay the VAT so you don't have to - prices are inclusive of EU VAT. <br> With respect to import customs duties for your EU country we will send the consignment using the appropriate Common Customs Tariff number heading 9701000000 which provides the benefit of ZERO CUSTOMS DUTIES courtesy of the UK - EU Trade & Co-operation Agreement. <br> <br> For deliveries outside of the UK and EU countries you will be liable for any import duties to the country of destination and any local sales taxes appropriate to the delivery address, if they are applicable - we will ship the consignment with the appropriate harmonized commodity code and with an accurate invoice. The appropriate Common Customs Tariff number is 9701000000 if you need to check before purchasing. All duties and taxes, if any, will be collected by the courier or delivery company and they will charge a modest standard administration charge for performing this function on your behalf.