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Oil Chimneypiece landscape on panel, originally from Popehill near Haverfordwest, circa 1700.

(Frame Measurements)
56" wide, 46" high.
142 cms wide, 117 cms high

Painted around 1700, this panel would have been placed above a fireplace in the principal room of this former gentry house near Haverfordwest. Their subject matter would have derived from a selection offered to the client by the artist, who was probably itinerant and able to perform a variety of tasks.

The accounts of Chirk Castle in Denbighshire show that in 1673 Thomas Ffrancis of Montgomery, "the Herald Painter", was paid to produce "3 landkskips for 3 chimney peeces" as well as to paint elm sculptures on the staircase, panelling in "wallnutt color", balusters for the bowling green, biblical inscriptions at the local church and the sign of "The Bull" in Denbigh. For the landscapes he received £2 10s 0d each.

Many houses have frames above and attached to fire surrounds, but the paintings they originally enclosed have virtually always been obliterated. Rare examples of c1700 are found on raised panels surrounded with bolection mouldings at Abercynhir, Llanfrynach (Brec.), showing scenes from the legend of Diana and Actaeon.

Ref: 3056

£ 9500

(Another similar painting is available).