Sir Alfred East A.R.A. - Lake Study with Swans

Sir Alfred East A.R.A. (British 1844–1913) – Signed Watercolour Lake Study with Swans (c.1890–1910)

Original watercolour on paper by Sir Alfred East A.R.A. (1844–1913), depicting swans gliding across calm water beneath a broad, atmospheric sky, with a distant crossing and buildings on the far bank. The scene is handled with East’s characteristic sensitivity to light and reflection, combining delicate detail with an assured, painterly touch.

East was one of the most respected British landscape painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, exhibiting widely during his lifetime and celebrated for poetic interpretations of the countryside and waterways. This work is a particularly appealing example, fully resolved rather than sketchy, with strong decorative presence and a refined, tranquil mood.

The watercolour is signed and presented in a handsome gilt frame with a beaded detail, ready to hang. A well-balanced horizontal composition that suits both traditional and contemporary interiors, with the swans providing an elegant focal point and the distant structures adding depth and interest.

Although an exact location is unconfirmed, the picture reads as a classic East “study” of water, light, and atmosphere, likely dating to his mature period, c. 1890–1910.

Details:
Medium: Watercolour on paper
Artist: Sir Alfred East A.R.A. (British, 1844–1913)
Title: Lake Study with Swans
Signature: Signed lower left
Image Size: 34 × 52 cm
Framed Size: 46 × 64 cm
Date: c. 1890–1910
Condition: Very good overall condition. The watercolour presents cleanly, with only minimal, gentle age-related toning and no visible foxing. The work remains fresh and highly decorative throughout.
Frame: Presented in a glazed gilt frame with a beaded detail. Ready to hang.

This is a genuine, one-of-a-kind original artwork — not a print or reproduction.