Works of Art

AN IMPORTANT SET OF THREE ANTIQUE OIL PAINTINGS DEPICTING A SUGAR PLANTATION IN DEMERARA SIGNED AND DATED BY JOSHUA BRYANT

BRITISH COLONIAL EARLY 19TH CENTURY

JOSHUA BRYANT – ARTIST WORKING IN EUROPE AND DEMERARA, EXHIBITED AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY 1798-1809

OTHER KNOWN WORKS BY THE ARTIST

Other Colonial paintings are mentioned at the Witt Library in London. The Ledger Galleries in London also exhibited several plantation scenes in Demerara by JOSHUA BRYANT. The British Library has drawings by the same artist. And the National Gallery in British Guiana (Demerara) has one painting by JOSHUA BRYANT.

1798-1802 Lived in Oxford Street.
1802 Worked in Wales.
1803 Worked in France.
1807 Returned to London, 101 The Strand.
1823 Living in Demerara and published an “Account of an insurrection of the negro slaves in the colony of Demerara.” After joining the Marine Battalion, he dedicated this book to Lieutenant Major-General John Murray, Governor and Commander-in-Chief to the United Colony of Demerara and Essequibo (a copy is in the British Library).

SUBJECT
The subject matter is of great charm and certainly of historical importance given its nature and detail. Joshua Bryant is held in high esteem in British Guiana and was a friend of the indigenous population. His book must also have been important as it is in the British Library collection. The views are full of detail and the paintwork shows a very particular style.

CONDITION
Over-painting removed to reveal original areas. Touched up in places especially an area in the sky of one of the pictures where it had been damaged owing to humidity (possibly on site). Re-varnished throughout.

HISTORY (From the Booker Collection, UK)

These paintings form part of a group that were painted by Bryant during his stay in Demerara (British Guiana). We know of at least four other pictures from the same series in Private Collections and they all point to the importance of the sugar trade between England, Holland and Guiana at the time of the abolition of slavery 1820-1835.

Dimensions (with frames):
Two paintings: Height 29 1/2in (75cm). Width 53in 135cm).
One painting: Height 29 1/2in (75cm). Width 52in (132cm).

Reference:J6395

 

alternate view1

alternate view2

 

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