Samuel John "Lamorna" Birch (English, 1869-1955) oil on canvas landscape painting depicting a woman in long skirt and hat, following three cows along a path with body of water in the foreground, with the sun setting against a tree-lined horizon in the background. Signed and dated "S J Lamorna Birch 1897" lower right. Several labels en verso including framing label and a conservation label for Laurelwood Gallery, Memphis, TN, along with an early label for Batchelar & Son Ltd Depository, Croydon (a company listed as a "house furnisher' in London directories of the early 1900s). Housed in a molded giltwood frame with ribbon molded rabbet and outer edge. Sight – 23 3/4" H x 34 1/2" W. Framed – 31 3/4" H x 43 1/2" W. Note: This work features similarities to a Birch painting titled "Evensong: The Brook at Halton Green," which was exhibited at The Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1897, now in the collection of the Lancaster Maritime Museum. Biography: Samuel John Birch was a member of the second generation of the Newyln School of artists and was best known for his landscapes in both oil and watercolor. He studied at the Atelier Colarossi in Paris and settled in Lamorna, Cornwall, where he was heavily influenced by the landscape and by Newlyn artist Stanhope Forbes. It was Forbes who reportedly suggested Birch adopt the name of the area as his own, to avoid confusion with another artist named Birch. Lamorna Birch exhibited frequently at the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of Watercolour Artists, and was elected a member of the Royal Academy in 1934. Provenance: private Nashville, TN collection. CONDITION: Canvas relined, slight surface grime. Few areas of inpainting visible under UV light (largest 1 1/4" x 3/4") to limbs and branches in center, next to figure. Craquelure concentrated in sky and water areas, or where paint application is heavy. Two areas of paint abrasion with losses in lower right quadrant, largest (1/2" x 1/4") near figure's feet. Light gray scattered staining to back of canvas. Frame – light surface grime, some wear to gilt (largest loss 2 1/2" x 1/2").