Oil Painting Urquhart Castle Loch Ness Scottish Highlands Nocturnal Moonlight





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Description


“Urquhart Castle Loch Ness Scottish Highlands Nocturnal Moonlight” Original Oil Painting | After James Bell Anderson |

Subject & Medium
This is a captivating original oil painting on board,circa 1950 portraying a richly atmospheric view of Urquhart Castle under the glow of a full moon, nestled on the edge of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Titled "Urquhart Castle Loch Ness Scottish Highlands Nocturnal Moonlight".

Set in a nocturnal landscape, the scene unfolds beneath a cloud-strewn night sky. The moonlight breaks through with shimmering brilliance, casting silvery reflections across the still loch. To the left, two tall, wind-swept trees anchor the composition, their dark forms silhouetted against the light. The shoreline curves gently, guiding the eye toward the illuminated ruins of Urquhart Castle, which sit quietly against the mountainous backdrop.

Executed in oil, the medium lends itself to the lush, layered treatment of light and texture that brings this legendary setting to life with both emotional resonance and painterly finesse.

Composition & Technique
This work exemplifies the romantic nocturne style made famous by James Bell Anderson. The composition is balanced and deeply atmospheric, inviting the viewer to move from the detailed foreground to the distant, glowing hills and castle.

The brushwork is expressive and varied—broad, sweeping strokes in the sky create drama and movement, while delicate, fine detailing in the trees, shoreline, and castle adds intimacy and structure.

The colour palette is beautifully restrained:

Rich deep greens and dark browns in the foreground suggest earthy Highland terrain and shadow
Cool silvers, greys, and muted blues dominate the sky and water, enhancing the moonlit ambiance
Subtle touches of warm ochre and golden tones around the sandy beach create depth and contrast
The reflection of the moonlight on the water is rendered with sensitive luminosity, a hallmark of the nocturne tradition
Stylistically, this piece straddles realism and romanticism, capturing the essence of place while imbuing it with a sense of timeless mystery.

Signed
Signed with the monogram “T B” in the lower-left corner, indicating it is painted after the style of James Bell Anderson by a mid-20th-century artist, circa 1950.

About the Artist (James Bell Anderson) While this painting is not by Anderson himself, it is a loving tribute to his work, closely reflecting his style in subject, lighting, and tone. James Bell Anderson (1886–1938) was a Scottish painter celebrated for his poetic landscapes and atmospheric moonlit scenes of the Highlands. Born in Fife, he became known for his distinctive ability to combine technical mastery with emotional depth. His nocturnes are particularly admired for their romantic light, moody skies, and mystical realism.


Framed Dimensions: 35 cm wide × 30 cm high × 2 cm depth
Comes in an ornate, original classic gilt decorative moulded frame, ready to display

Provenance
From a Private Collection
With Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Formerly Exhibited at a middle shire Museum

Why You’ll Love It
A moody and magical depiction of Loch Ness under moonlight
Evocative of the Highland romance and mystery
Tribute to James Bell Anderson’s iconic nocturnes
Perfectly balanced composition with beautiful moonlight reflection
Brings historic and mythic Scotland into your home
Elegant vintage frame, ready to hang and admire
A beautiful piece for collectors of Scottish landscapes and romantic art
Adds timeless charm to both traditional and contemporary interiors

Condition
In overall good vintage condition
Stable paint with no visible flaking, or restoration, with foxing stains could do with a professional surface clean
Frame is structurally sound consistent with age-related wear, with some chips losses in areas.



Reserve: $3,402.00

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