Myles Birket Foster R.W.S (1825-1899) The artist was born in North Shields and moved to London when he was five, he was apprenticed to one of the leading wood engravers of the day, Ebenezer Landells who in turn had been a pupil of Thomas Bewick. He first cut blocks then produced drawings for the magazines, 'Punch', 'The Illustrated London News' and many other publications. He illustrated Longfellows, 'Evangeline', and Roger's 'Italy'. In 1846 he set up on his own and illustrated books, but turned to painting full time in 1859, chiefly producing watercolours, in total he contributed some four hundred examples at, The Water Colour Society, he also exhibited at The Royal Academy between 1859-1881. He travelled extensively on the Continent and made many visits to Italy, particularly Venice, largely on commission from Charles Seeley to produce fifty Venetian drawings for a total of, £5,000. In 1863 he built a large house in Witley, near Godalming, and he is particularly renowned for his views in Surrey, meticulously worked up with astounding technical skill, and achieving a fine sense of composition, as well as a command of colour. Manuscripts relating to the artists life are held at The Victoria & Albert Museum. The present work is a World renowned example and can be seen on many international web-sites, the picture was undoubtedly produced in the Victorian Newspapers and Journals of the day, and has also been produced as a print during the last century. Myles Birket Foster R.W.S (1825-1899) 'The Shepherd's Rest,' signed with the artists monogram, also inscribed on various labels verso, watercolour and gouache, heightened with white, 28cm x 47.5cm **Provenance, Kaye Michie Fine Art, 'Kenilworth', 53, Kings Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 6EG, Purchased at The Harrogate Antique Fair, 2nd October 2004, by the vendor's Uncle.