Edward Killingworth Johnson Watercolor Painting Portrait, Late 19th Century

Item Details

Edward Killingworth Johnson (British, 1825 – 1896)
Untitled (portrait of a young woman, possibly the artist’s wife Hannah), late 19th century
Watercolor painting on paper, dry-mounted to wood board
Signed to the lower right
Label to the verso with backboard patent date 1883 from Deuther Mfg. Co., Buffalo

Although he never studied formally, Edward Killingworth Johnson was a master of watercolor portraiture. Born in London in 1925, he was orphaned at a young age and apprenticed to Smith and Linton, a wood engraving firm that was often commissioned by the Illustrated London News, where he showed a talent for drawing. Taking his artistic training into his own hands, he would spend the evenings studying from models at the Langham Life School. He continued to produce illustrations for the News, as well as The Graphic magazine, and others. He married in 1871, and moved with his wife to the Baker’s Farm, Killingworth family home in the Essex countryside. In addition to his work as an illustrator, it is here that he began to produce detailed watercolor paintings of young woman in idyllic natural landscapes, often using his wife as a model.

Condition

- slight toning to paper support causing discoloration to painting; surface abrasions with paint loss to lower left corner; imperfections present in hand-rolled glass; scratches, scuffs, and edge wear to frame finish; cracks throughout frame molding, with separated, loose, chipped, and lost molding throughout; discoloration to verso backing board, with remnants of backing paper adhered to frame verso; work was removed from frame for examination

Dimensions

- measures frame; visible work measures 15.25" W x 22.5" H.

Item #

ITMG533959