Landscape oil painting of a church by the River Thames by Alfred Augustus Glendening Snr

Alfred Augustus Glendening Snr.

British, (1840-1921).
Shepperton on Thames with St Nicholas Church.
Oil on canvas, signed.
Provenance: N Mitchell, Duke Street, London.

A charming river landscape painting of the Thames at Shepperton in Surrey featuring St Nicholas Church. A fisherman can be seen punting across the river, whilst cattle water at the bank. The church of St Nicholas was originally built in the 12th century on the site of an earlier church. The tower was added in 1614 with a clock installed in 1769. The church was designated a grade II listed building by Historic England in 1951.

Alfred Augustus Glendening was born in Hampton near Richmond upon Thames in 1840 to James Glendening and Sarah Chandler. Later, the family moved to Greenwich where his father worked as a wharf overseer and then a weighbridge clerk. The area was notable for having the first steam railway passenger line in the capital and Glendening initially found a job working as a railway clerk, before becoming a full time painter. It is highly likely he took lessons during his spare time, perhaps attending evening classes.

He married Sophia Illman on 3 March 1861 at St Nicholas Church, Plumstead. The couple lived in Southwark and went on to have 7 children together. One of their sons Alfred Glendening Jnr (1861-1907) also became an artist and was taught by him.  He made his debut at the Royal Society of British Artists in 1864 and a year later began exhibiting at the Royal Academy, becoming a regular contributor to both. He also exhibited at the Royal Institution from 1865. 

By 1869, Glendening had moved to 15 Clarence Road and had become a full time artist. His success allowed him to support his growing family and around 1876, he moved to 161 Bird in Bush Road, Camberwell. He was a popular landscape artist of his time working in many parts of the British Isles. He enjoyed painting the dramatic landscapes of Wales and the Scottish Highlands as well as views of the southern counties, particularly the Thames, Surrey and Sussex. 

Glendening made his final move to nearby 6 Sandbourne Road, Deptfords in 1891 where he continued living for the rest of his life. He died at Greenwich in 1921. Examples of his paintings are held by the Atkinson Art Gallery, Charlton House & Gardens, Eden District Council, Gallery Oldham, Glasgow Museum, Newport Museum & Art Gallery, Rozelle House Galleries, Southampton City Art Gallery and The Whitaker.

Presentation: The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition. The reverse bears a label for N Mitchell an art dealership established around 1875 by Nathan Mitchell and based at 52 Copthall Avenue, London. By 1909, he had opened a branch at 49 Duke Street, remaining there until 1929 when it relocated to 2 Duke Street. The business later took over the premises next door, operating at 2 & 3 Duke Street until Nathan’s death in 1945. The galllery was continued by his son George who ran it as Mitchell Galleries Ltd until his death in 1951.
Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

© Benton Fine Art

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This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance