William Leighton Leitch (1804-1883) - Landscape of cattle by a river

William Leighton Leitch was 'a landscape painter who was apprenticed in Glasgow to a a lawyer and to a weaver, meanwhile practising drawing at night with Daniel Macnee, later P.R.S.A. He moved to London and worked for the Pavilion Theatre, in meantime he took lessons from the artist Copley Fielding. Leitch travelled to Italy in 1833 and remained there until 1837 having journeyed through Holland, Germany and Switzerland. He travelled widely in Italy and Sicily, sketching and teaching. On his return he built a successful practice as a landscape drawing master, his pupils including Queen Victoria, to whom he was introduced by Lady Canning, and he exhibited at the R.A. and elsewhere. In 1862 he was elected to the N.W.S., serving as Vice-President for twenty years.' [1]
 
This watercolour depicts an idyllic rural scene of a cattle herd by a river bank and is typical of the artist's work from this period.
 
Medium: watercolour on textured paper, signed l.r. 'W.L. Leitch 1869', 25.5 x 42cm (picture size), framed.
 
Provenance: J. Morton Lee, Fine Watercolours (label verso).
 
Literature:
 
[1] Huon Mallieu (2002), 'The Dictionary of British Watercolour Artists up to 1920: Volume I A-L', Antique Collectors Club: Woodbridge, p.358. See entry on artist.
 
Condition report: generally in good condition. The watercolour is painted on textured paper which is why there are a few markings throughout. There is some wear to the frame and mount (please see photos).