Pair George Armfield (1810-1893). A Great Find & The Spoilt Supper

A fine pair of oil paintings attributed to George Armfield.

These are of a typical subject matter for this artist who continues to be confused with any Victorian artist choosing to paint a sporting picture with terriers, water foal, game birds or foxes.

William Secord records this artist as George Armfield Smith, living and working in London for most of his life. In spite of home being the capital city, he was an avid sportsman. He was both a popular artist and a prolific one exhibiting under the family name of Smith until 1840. He exhibited regularly at both the British Institute and at Suffolk Street until 1875, and thirty two works at the R.A between 1840 and 1862. Secord states that, at his best, (such as in this case), Armfield’s paintings are technically very fine, his painterly brushstrokes enlivening the work. He was, however, so prodigious that many of his paintings are ‘repeats’, the winning formula produced over and over. William Secord also warns that the work of George Armfield should not be confused with ‘the less accomplished E. Armfield’, yet, in spite of this warning the two are very often muddled, even on such sites as ART UK where paintings singed E. Armfield are listed under George Armfield. (E. Armfield may in fact be Edward Armfield, one of the twelve children George had with his third wife).

A full and excellent biography of this artist is to be found on the gallery website of Rehs Galleries, the information taken from a letter sent them by Mrs. Beryl Kerrigan, great granddaughter of the man himself. (The actual author of the biographical study is unknown).

The pair painted in oil on canvas and within their original gilt gesso frames.

Framed dimensions 32 in x 28 in (Sight Size:19.25 x 23.25)