MA Clark (XIX-XX) - Landschap

For sale: A large, atmospheric and highly decorative antique oil painting on canvas from the late Victorian / early Edwardian period (ca. 1890–1910). This impressive piece has a total dimensions of no less than 102 x 64 cm (including the heavy original frame).
The artwork depicts a romantic river landscape at twilight. On the left in the foreground stand gnarly willows by the water's edge, with in the background the outlines of a historic church/abbey ruin bathed in the glow of the setting sun. On the right lies a wooden dinghy moored.
The composition is a well-known and at the time highly sought-after period copy of the painting "Church by a river at sunset" by the well-known British landscape painter William Langley (1852–1922). This particular work is hand-signed in the bottom right by the talented contemporary copier/artist M.A. Clark.
Interesting provenance:
The back of the authentic wooden stretcher reveals an intriguing history. It bears several old, hand-carved and written inscriptions from the early 20th century, including the initials "MJW", the name "M.J. Wouters" and the family name "Van Tricht Gillebaard". This indicates early Dutch or Belgian origin/ownership of the work.
The painting is in a beautiful antique condition with a lovely, natural craquelé that bears witness to its age. The canvas is housed in the original, very richly decorated and heavy gilded ornate frame from the period. The golden frame is in good condition and itself forms a work of art.
• Technique: Oil on canvas