This is a very fine vintage original watercolour by the British author and artist, Alice Margaret Coats (1905 - 1978).
It came to me with her colour linocut (which is now sold but had been available in my online shop) and it is simply signed: AC 50, in the lower left-hand corner: as photographed. I have also seen fully signed watercolour by her of this view - but from a little further out to the right. But most definitely a rare landscape study by Alice Coats.
Examples of her work are in the collection of the British Council. A number of her linocuts are in the Christchurch Art Gallery, New Zealand - including an impression of this work.
She studied at the Birmingham School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art in London and was best known for botanical and horticultural works.
Her first book "Flowers and their History" was published in 1956, and "The Book of Flowers" in 1973; this volume included woodcuts, engravings and watercolours.
This watercolour is a very subtle one with a pale palette of watery grey, blue and green tones - it is reminiscent of early watercolours by Paul Nash. These tones and the stylised forms of the mountains and woodland - appear in some of her woodcuts such as her print featuring two grazing white horses and in some of her botanical illustrations for publication.
The scene is not a British landscape - but looks very much like a Tuscan one. with its tall cypress trees, olive trees and rising hills in the distance. The building to the right-hand foreground is certainly very Italian in form.
A lovely subtle work - it has not faded but has been painted with great care in thin pale watercolour washes. It is in excellent condition and painted on a heavily textured sheet of watercolour paper.
Dimensions: Image size 36 x 46 cm. The frame size is 55.5 x 64.5 cm.
Sadly her artistic career was cut short by dishabilitating arthritis, especially after the 1950s - when she had to concentrate more on her writings and study of horticultural history.
A most accomplished artist and original examples of her work are quite rare. Her colour linocuts and fine watercolours usually command good prices when offered for sale.
UK Postage will be with Parcelforce24 - this will cost £10 and applied to your order at the checkout.