Lot 116
GEORGE HENRY R.A., R.S.A., R.S.W. (SCOTTISH 1858-1943)
BY THE LAKE
Scottish Paintings & Sculpture
Auction: Evening Sale ft. A Century of Scottish Colourists | Lots 88 to 168 | Thursday 04 June 2026 from 6pm
Description
Signed, oil on canvas
Dimensions
58cm x 114cm (23in x 45in)
Footnote
George Henry (1858–1943) was born in Ayrshire and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. Whilst his career saw him travel far and wide, including a formative period in Japan alongside his close friend and fellow artist Edward Atkinson Hornel (1864–1933), it was in Kirkcudbright that many of his most celebrated works were painted.
Henry’s whimsical tone is present in By the Lake, where a solitary girl sits at the water’s edge surrounded by yellow foliage. Sunlight shimmers across the lake, while the rich golden yellows and lush greens, combined with Henry’s loose, impressionistic brushwork, fill the painting with a poetic and atmospheric quality.
Henry’s woodland scenes are more than a simple depiction of figures in nature, they are an exploration of atmosphere, folklore and visual harmony. Through his careful composition, layered setting, and subtle references to both British and Japanese influences, he invites the viewer into spaces that feel both real and otherworldly. The anonymity of the figures, combined with the enchanting setting, ensure the paintings retain a sense of mystery, encouraging curiosity from the viewer.