Sir David Murray, R.A., H.R.S.A., R.S.W., R.I.
1849-1933 • Scottish 

Across the River

Signed and dated D. Murray 1907 (lower left)
Signed and inscribed “Across the River/by David Murray ARA/t Langham Chambers/London” en verso
Oil on canvas 

Renowned Scottish painter Sir David Murray is recalled fondly for his talent as a keen landscapist, as illustrated in the current work entitled Across the River. Whether rendering his Scottish homeland, or his other favorite locales of southern England and northern France, Murray's oeuvre showcases a bounty of artistic talent, distinguished by his remarkable palette and deep love of nature. 

In Across the River, Murray captures a steep embankment overlooking a waterway. Diminutive horses and laborers dot the foreground, hauling logs and highlighting the interplay between man and nature. The earthy tones employed offer a quiet, contemplative quality to the composition, while the tree's fall leaves direct the eye up the cliff face. Murray's measured yet breathy brushstrokes imbue the image with a sense of animism, immersing the viewer in the tranquil landscape.

Sir David Murray began to study art at the Glasgow School of Art in the evenings while working days in the mercantile business. He gained the confidence to pursue art as a full-time career in 1875. Though he had not pursued painting professionally until his late 20s, Murray's risk paid off, and in 1881, he became an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy. He quickly gained critical acclaim when he moved to London the following year, selling his works to important patrons including the famed Tate Gallery in 1884. Murray became a high-ranking member of both the British Royal Academy and the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours. 

Dated 1907

Canvas: 48 1/4” high x 72” wide
Frame: 63” high x 87” wide 

Provenance:
Sale, Christie's, Hopetoun, October 15, 1969, no. 149
Private Collection
Sale, Christie's, South Kensington, November 17, 2010, no. 15
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Private Collection, Chicago
M.S. Rau, New Orleans

Exhibited:
London, Royal Academy, 1907. no. 89