Oil on canvas, 51 x 60.5 cm, including frame 66.5 x 77 cm.

The present painting, possibly originating from the collection of John Bateman, an early patron of Thomas Gainsborough, has previously been attributed to the artist.

The young Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) was an admirer of the Dutch Golden Age painter Jan Wijnants (Haarlem 1631/1632-1684 Amsterdam) and drew clear inspiration from his landscapes. Wijnants’ scenes, often structured around sandy paths, low horizons, and balanced compositions, provided a model Gainsborough studied early on.

In his own early works, Gainsborough adopted these features, using winding paths and a contrast between detailed foregrounds and softer distance. Over time, he moved beyond Wijnants’ structured approach, developing a lighter, more fluid style that transformed Dutch influence into a distinctly English, lyrical vision of nature.

PROVENANCE
According to the labels on the stretcher:

The collection of the Hon. Bateman-Hanbury, descendent of John Bateman, 2nd Viscount Bateman (1721-1802), Thomas Gainsborough’s early patron.
The Courtauld Collection.
With Frank T. Sabin, New Bond Street, London, 1848.
The property of Mr. Ronald Brymer Beckett (1891-1970) (From Museum and Art Gallery, New Walk, Leicester).
Anon. Sale, Christie’s, London, 17 February 1956, lot 27, as ”T. Gainsborough R.A.”.