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William John Leech RHA ROI (1881-1961)
!e Bridge, Amboise
Oil on board, 34.25 x 45cm (13" x 17$”)
Signed. Inscribed artist’s label verso
Provenance: Sold in these rooms, Important Irish Art sale, May 1991, Lot 35
(Illustrated on front cover); where purchased by the current owner
Leech captures the bridge over the Loire in the beautiful, historic town of Amboise,
believed to be the &nal resting place of Leonardo de Vinci. Paintings titled ‘!e
Convent, Amboise’and ‘St. Denis, Amboise’were exhibited at the RHA in 1937 and
1938 respectively, suggesting Leech spent time painting in Amboise in 1936 37,
before the outbreak of the 2nd World War, after which he did not return to paint in
France. Leech’s broad paint handling, in capturing the evening glow of the setting
sun on the parapet and buildings beyond, show his development as an artist from his
more formal depiction of ‘!e Bridge at Paris’ c. 1912.
Denise Ferran April 2013
!&$,### - '$,###
