By Cathcart William Methven (1849-1925).

Cathcart William Methven FRSE (24 September 1849 – 30 August 1925) was a Scottish civil engineer who was Engineer-in-Chief at Greenock on the Clyde, and appointed in 1888 as Harbour Engineer in Durban. Besides being an architect and able musician, he was, unusually, a gifted landscape artist and produced many fine paintings of Natal scenery. He founded the Durban Art Gallery in 1892.

Oil on canvas. 1906

False Bay and Hangklip can be seen to the right of the painting. A schooner is beating out to sea while a Rennie's Direct Line Steamer can be seen rounding Cape Point. Methven might be making a point about the age of steam.

Provenance: From the Nigel Hughes collection, previously the Hulett family collection.

(Professionally cleaned, 71cm x 111cm, including frame)

R65,000