(British, 1763-1804)

signed and dated indistinctly lower right, oil on paperboard, 19-1/4 x 15-1/4 in.; modern gilt wood frame, 25-1/4 x 21-1/4 x 2-3/4 in.

Provenance: Old Somerset Fine Art Gallery, Somerset, Virginia, purchased in 2005 as George Morland for $6,000 (accompanied by a facsimile of original receipt and supportive documents); Proceeds to Benefit Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge Foundation; Brunk Auctions, Asheville, North Carolina, December 5, 2020, lot 729; Virginia Private Collection

Note: This painting reflects the enduring influence of George Morland, a prolific British artist known for his rustic scenes of rural life, which were widely reproduced and celebrated in his time. Despite his turbulent lifestyle-marked by financial troubles, heavy drinking, and periods of imprisonment-Morland produced an astonishing body of work exceeding 4,000 paintings. His compositions were often copied by pupils and followers, making attribution complex. The present work, while not matching the brighter palette of his assistant Thomas Hand, features hallmarks of Morland’s style: a solitary country figure, naturalistic clothing, and a contemplative mood. It is a fine period example of the genre he helped define.