19th century oil on canvas, inscribed verso, original gilt frame A work of true refinement, this gentle, warm piece by James Peel (England 1811-1906) depicts a tranquil seaside as the setting for agrarian pursuits. It is a scene of the straw harvest during the shorter days of autumn. The seasonal tenor of the work is rendered in hues of brown, olive, gold and silver. The organic palette underlies the painting’s pensive mood, as we intuit the diminishing colors as a harbinger of the approaching winter’s dormancy, dreariness and turbulent seas. James Peel is noted for his excellent draughtsmanship, which is enhanced by his elegant and deliberate brushstroke. There is no element of his technique that lacked perfection, whether it be distant mountains formed with atmospheric perspective or a foreground of fields and waterways executed with clarity and delicacy. Peel never failed to capture the divine nuances of nature’s colors. James Peel is one of England’s most distinguished painters; his works grace many public collections, including the Victoria and Albert museum. Measurements: 20”x28” in frame 12”x20” canvas