Brunk Auctions
Live Auction

Premier Summer Sale | June 25, 2025

Wed, Jun 25, 2025 10:00AM EDT
Lot 48

Manner of William Ashford, River Landscape

Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
Sold for

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$100 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

(British, 1746-1824)

Boy Fishing Off a Bank, bears a signature lower left "W. Ashford", oil on canvas, 28 x 36-1/2 in.; fine gilt wood frame with sand panel, 34-1/2 x 42-1/2 x 2 in. 

Provenance: Christie's New York, Rockefeller Plaza, The House Sale, December, 2007, lot 156, sold for #3,750; Fontaine's Auction Gallery, Pittsfield, Massachusetts (label verso), February, 23, 2008, lot #134; Private Collection; Brunk Auctions, Asheville, North Carolina,  Virginia Private Collection

Note: William Ashford, though born in Birmingham, spent nearly his entire career in Ireland, where he became the country's leading landscape painter of the late 18th century. Initially employed by the Ordnance Office in Dublin, he began painting in his spare time, starting with still lifes before transitioning to classical landscapes. His extensive travel across Ireland likely influenced his topographical style, which appealed to both Irish aristocrats and English audiences. Ashford exhibited widely, including at the Royal Academy and the Society of Artists in London, and later served as the first president of both the reformed Irish Society of Artists and the newly founded Royal Hibernian Academy. Known for serene, well-ordered landscapes influenced by Dutch masters, he catered to the tastes of the Anglo-Irish elite. Though largely self-taught, his works were highly praised in his time and are now held in major collections across the UK and Ireland, including the Fitzwilliam Museum and the National Trust.

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Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.

Christie's New York, Rockefeller Plaza, The House Sale, December, 2007, lot 156, sold for #3,750; Fontaine's Auction Gallery, Pittsfield, Massachusetts (label verso), February, 23, 2008, lot #134; Private Collection; Brunk Auctions, Asheville, North Carolina,  Virginia Private Collection

lined with linen, restretched on new stretcher, recently cleaned and revarnished, scattered retouch throughout affecting approximately 15% of surface, crackle; frame with some wear Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.