John Henderson, Still Life With Orchids

John Henderson, Still Life With OrchidsThis beautiful early 20th century oil painting by Scottish artist John Henderson (1860 1924) depicts a small arrangement of orchids gathered in a lustrous red vase. Set against a dark ground, the blooms appear almost suspended in space, their delicate white petals touched with soft lilac and deep crimson tones. Henderson has approached the subject with a painter's eye for atmosphere and colour. Broad, confident brushstrokes animate the petals, while

yet she's given prominence via the contrast of her luminous white dress and the bold colouring of the background

A shimmering near-white glow extends beyond the horizon where the illuminated river meets the tint of the sky

our newly adopted country’

The portrait previously hung within the splendid environs of The Wodehouse

and estate life

This is significant

referred to “a dazzling light”

Medium: WatercolourOverall size: 31” x 25” / 79cm x 63cmYear of creation: c

Note the attention to detail - the cracked floor tiles

Our reference: BRV2036

1986 (lot 193)

executed from drawings made upon the spot in the year 1791