Benjamin Williams Leader RA (United Kingdom, 1831-1923) oil on canvas landscape painting depicting figures in a boat on a river, foreground, with buildings nestled among tree filled hills in the background. Possible signature lower left. Housed in a molded giltwood frame with swept edges having pierced Rococo style decoration and plaque lower center reading "B.W. Leader, R.A.". Sight – 23" H x 35" W. Framed – 32" H x 43" W. Biography: Benjamin Williams Leader was born in Worcester, England and received his earliest instruction in art at the School of Design in his native city. In 1854 he was admitted as a student in the Royal Academy, and in the same year exhibited his first picture. He became become a popular painter of mountain scenery, particularly in Wales and Switzerland. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1883. He received the Gold Medal at the Paris Exhibition, 1889, and was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. (source: Men and Women of the Time, A Dictionary of Contemporaries by George Washington Moon, G. Routledge, London, New York, p. 542). Provenance: the estate of Dr. Howard T. DeHaven, Columbia, TN. CONDITION: 1/2" patch repair lower left (in tall grasses near boat); repair lower right edge; a few scattered small inclusions and tiny flakes, scattered craquelure. Frame likely regilt with scattered wear and losses, couple of small repaired breaks.