'By the Water's Edge'

George Henry Boughton (Norwich 1833 – London 1905). Oil painting on panel, 'By the Water's Edge' by George Henry Boughton (Norwich 1833 – London 1905), signed with initials GHB, 1875 - 1900. A young woman rests against a tree, looking down by a lake. This picture combines two of Boughton's frequent subjects, female figures and landscape, and like much of his work is very decorative. Boughton was born in Norwich but brought up in America. He studied in Paris, and settled in London in 1862. He exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Leicester and Grosvenor Galleries, The Fine Art Society, Agnews and many other galleries. He also painted portraits, genre scenes, historical subjects and sporting scenes. Ruskin disliked his technique, describing it in a memorably vitriolic phrase as "executed by a converted crossing sweeper, with his broom, after it was worn stumpy". Wightwick Manor, West Midlands (Accredited Museum)