Perch on a River Bank by William J. Webbe (fl. 1853-78). Oil on panel, 7 x 13 inches. Signed with monogram lower right. Provenance: C. Lucas Esq.
Although not a member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Webbe was close to Holman Hunt, and it is likely that his style was initially influenced by him. Webbe exhibited a small number of faerie pictures in the 1850s but the greater part of his output was of birds and animals, often with an element of anthropomorphism, set in minutely observed landscapes that resemble the Nazarenes as much as the Pre-Raphaelites.
Bibliography
Spring '99. London: The Fine Art Society, 1999. No. 7.
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Last modified 28 December 2004