An attractive rendering of this well known view painted in Ashton's vibrant, impressionistic style.

 

Sir John William Ashton was born in York but shortly afterwards moved with his family to Adelaide, Australia. His father was an artist and he received his early training in his studio. In 1900, he returned to England and studied under the marine painter Julius Olsson. Olsson's influence can be clearly seen in this work in the choppy white peaks of the sea and Olsson in fact painted this very same view - see here. In the winter of 1902-1903, he trained at the Académie Julian in Paris where he was to meet Hans Heysen who became a lifelong friend.

 

He travelled and exhibited extensively thoughout his lifetime and achieved considerable recognition both in Australia and the United Kingdom. His appointments included: director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales (1937), Chairman of the Commonwealth Art Advisory Board (1953-62) and Vice-President of the Australian Painter-Etchers' Society. He was a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, London and was knighted in 1960. 

 

Membership/ Exhibited: R.A., R.B.A., R.O.I.,