Oil on canvas
England, 1828
Attributed to John Doyle (1797-1868) – Irish-born cartoonist and painter
Signed and dated lower right ‘J. Doyle 1828’
Verso on the stretcher and frame with several poorly legible inscriptions and old auction labels
Broad gold frame
Dimensions: 64 x 76 cm
Doyle, who became famous as a political cartoonist in London under the pen name HB, painted various oil paintings, including some moonlight scenes during his early creative period. They are considered exceptional collector’s items and are a rare find on the art market
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This painting from 1828 is attributed to John Doyle and depicts an landscape in the moonlight – an unusual subject matter for the artist who was primarily known for his satirical drawings. Before the viewer extends a wide river landscape with a moss-covered ruin towering in the left. A couple is sitting by the shore, enjoying the tranquility of the moonlit night. The full moon shines low, illuminating the calm riverbed sailed by a few boats. Skillfully the painter created an imaginary landscape with a romantic atmosphere and an interesting chiaroscuro. The composition is certainly inspired by the work of the English painter Sebastian Pether (1790-1844), who was known for his atmospheric moonlight subjects that were particularly popular in England during the late 18th and early 19th century.



The painting is signed and dated lower right ‘J. Doyle 1828’. The stretcher and frame bear several poorly legible inscriptions and old auction labels on the verso. There are five unprofessional restorations to the sky and the right area: on the front with clearly visible retouching and backed on the verso. Further there are some marginal blemishes with color losses along the edges due to rubbing of the frame. The canvas is slightly wavy, with small dents. The frame shows some wear. The framed work measures 90.5 x 103 cm, the stretcher frame measures 64 x 76 cm.

John Doyle (1797-1868)

In his youth John Doyle was a pupil of the landscape painter Gaspare Gabrielli and studied under John Comer Field at the Royal Dublin Society. In 1805 he was honored with a gold medal. During his early creative period he painted landscapes, depictions of race horses and received commissions for equestrian portraits. In 1822 Doyle settled in London. Here he was successful with his political caricatures, which he published as lithographs under the pseudonym HB. Between 1829 and 1851 his cartoons were printed in ‘The Times’. Today over 900 of his drawings are in the collections of the British Museum. John Doyle was the grandfather of the famous author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. (tfa)

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