Grisaille watercolour study for "Longing" by James Archer RSA (1823 - 1904)

Grisaille watercolour and pencil on paper: 6 3/4 x 9 3/4 in. (17.7 x 24.5 cm.)
Framed dimensions: 39.5 x 45.5 cm.
Inscribed left: ‘JArcher. For Viola. Dec. 66’
Also inscribed lower right (on mount): ‘J Archer RSA’
 
A wistful, typically Victorian subject watercolour by James Archer RSA, which is likely a compositional study for his painting ‘Longing’ of 1869 (https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/james-archer-rsa-1823-1904-longing-1471822-details.aspx).
 
A young barefoot woman, positioned next to a fisherman’s cottage, looks melancholically to distant ships whose masts just break over the high horizon line. Whoever she knows on the ship, likely a loved one, may never return.
 
The picture is dedicated to ‘Viola’ and dated December 1866, making one speculate that this was a festive gift to a close friend.
 
The son of an Edinburgh dentist, James Archer studied art at the School of the Board of Trustees for Manufacturers in Scotland and began exhibiting at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1841. During the first decade of his artistic life, his works were limited to portraits in chalk and it was with two such works that he made his first appearance at the Royal Academy in London in 1854. During the 1850s he diversified his subjects to include both historical and domestic genre scenes before finally settling in 1859 for themes based on ballads, romantic literature and history.
 
In 1862 Archer left his native Edinburgh and took up permanent residence in London. In 1865, the year before this watercolour was painted, the Art Journal described Archer as 'another of our young artists who is making sure progress', noting that he occupied 'a foremost position among our rising men'.
The watercolour survives in excellent condition, it very scarce and barely noticeable dots of foxing within the sky. There appears to be a very small tear at the middle-bottom edge. It is presented within a modest gilt frame and nicely mounted, behind glass.
 
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