Watching the Hunt Watercolour Painting by Claude Hayes

Arguably the finest watercolour by Claude Hayes to be offered for sale in the last twenty years.  This museum quality painting is considerably larger than the vast majority of the artist's work, indeed of some five hundred auction results listed for Hayes over the last twenty years this is by far the largest and arguably the finest - Hayes masterpiece in watercolours then.  The painting has a wonderful composition with shepherd and sheep observing the passing of the hunt.  The painting has a highly detailed composition and every aspect is beautifully rendered.  The painting remains in very fine condition, there is a single small tear to the top left edge which does not detract, the colours are a little faded.  The painting is behind glass (which will be removed to protect the painting before sending) and is presented in a fine late 20th century wood and gilt composite frame.  The painting is signed and dated lower right.

Claude Hayes was a landscape & portrait painter, born in Dublin and the son of artist Edwin Hayes, the marine painter. He received little to no encouragement however, from his father, and ran away to sea, serving on the Golden Fleece, one of the transports used in the Abyssinian Expedition of 1867-8.He then spent a year in America before returning to England, where he moved to London & studied at Heatherley's, then the RA Schools, staying for three years. He later studied under Charles Verlat (1824-1890) in Antwerp.Claude first practised as a portrait painter in oil but soon abandoned portraiture for landscape, first oil then water-colour, his work greatly influenced by Cox and Thomas Collier. Hayes first showed at the RHA 1874. In 1876 he exhibited at the RA - a connection that lasted 40 years. He was elected RI 1886; ROI 1883; RSW 1902. Claude worked in Hampshire meeting James Aumonier and in Surrey, William Charles Estall whose sister he married. It is known that he lived in London in 1880, Addleston, Surrey in 1892, Guildford, Surrey 1901, Christchurch, Hampshire 1909, Woking Surrey 1913 and died at Brockenhurst, Hampshire. He is best remembered for his pastoral scenes, with their softly diffused light and neat lines of haystacks. His work is in various public collections in England and Ireland including the Ulster Museum and the Leeds City Art Gallery.