Lot 109: James Barbut (fl.1777-1786)

Still life of shells and coral, a ship in rough seas beyond
signed and dated 'James Barbut pinxit.1779' (lower right)
oil on canvas
31 x 41 in. (78.7 x 104.1 cm.)

E. Waterhouse, The Dictionary of British 18th Century Painters, Suffolk, 1981, p.36, illus.

James Barbut specialised in still lives, and is recorded as having had a studio at Bennett's Hill, St. Paul's, London. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1777-1786 and shells are a recurring theme in his works. He clearly held a naturalist's fascination for his chosen subjects, publishing 126 bound drawings for his classic work, The Genera Insectorum of Linnaeus exemplified by various specimens of English insects drawn from Nature, 1781.

Ellis Waterhouse notes that the present work is 'a very competent arrangement of shells in a marine grotto..[with]..a marine backdrop in the manner of Vernet' (op. cit.).

For full key to shells, please see our catalogue.

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