Royal Academy exhibited painting by John Clayton Adams (English, 1840-1906), "The Silver Dart." The large panoramic oil on canvas landscape depicts the Dart river (located in Devon, England) to the center, with a silver reflective beam of light illuminating the river from the sky. Trees line each bank of the river with a herd of cattle on the rocky, mid-right river bank; a small valley and mountains are visible in the far distance. Signed faintly lower left "J. Clayton Adams". Additionally titled on the mid-lower edge of the frame with artist name and "Exhibited Royal Academy 1893" noted on the lower right edge of the frame. Intricately carved gilt and gesso Louis XIV style frame with giltwood liner. Sight: 47 1/4" H x 71 1/4" W. Framed: 60 1/4" H x 84 1/4" W x 3" D. Note: A print of this painting is featured on page 135 in "The Magazine of Art, Volume 19", published in 1896 by Cassell and Company Ltd. Artist Biography (Adapted from AskArt): John Clayton Adams studied at the Bloomsbury Art School and lived in Edmonton, North London. In 1873 he moved to Ewhurst Hill. He painted mostly landscape scenes featuring southern England and occasionally painted Scottish river landscapes featuring the River Tweed. Adams exhibited 75 pictures at the Royal Academy and 25 pictures at the Royal Society of British Artist from the period of 1863 to 1893.

PROVENANCE: The Estate of Margaret Harold Roberts, Lookout Mountain, Georgia.

CONDITION: Has been wax lined, compromising texture of paint. Areas of fluorescence to sky and river. Significant area of old restoration with overpainting to lower right corner of painting, does not flouresce under UV light. Light overall craquelure. Frame is antique and possibly original, with light wear, areas of shrinkage cracking.