'On the Nile', William James Laidlay

Artwork details

Artist

William James Laidlay (1846‑1912)

Title

On the Nile

Date 1900

MediumOil paint on canvas

Dimensionssupport: 406 x 610 mm

Collection

Tate

Acquisition Bequeathed by Alan Evans 1974

Reference

T01891

Not on display

Display caption

This is one of a series of scenes on the Nile that Laidlay painted around 1900. In its colouring and smooth, long brushstrokes it appears to emulate Whistler. Laidlay played an important part in the formation of the New English Art Club. The art dealer Martin Colnaghi had agreed to finance the Club's first exhibition and hired the Marlborough Gallery for it. However, he was disturbed by Tuke's pictures of nude boys and withdrew his support. Laidlay, who had private means, stepped in to cover the exhibition costs. 'The Times' described the participants as 'the ablest English artists of their generation'… (read more)

August 2004