🎣 Victorian Masterpiece: “Landing a Northern Pike” by Arthur Roland Knight (c.1890) 🖼️

Original Antique Oil Painting | Signed | Gilt Frame | Authentic Angling Artwork 

🐟 Subject Matter: A Timeless Moment in Angling History

This captivating 19th-century oil painting invites you into a serene yet dramatic riverside scene, just as a northern pike (Esox lucius) breaks the water's surface, caught on a gaff pole. Framed by tall reeds and set against the hazy dusk of a British river landscape, this moment captures the excitement and reverence of Victorian-era sport fishing.

Paintings like this were sought after by the British leisure class of the time — those who appreciated not only the sport, but the artistic celebration of its most exhilarating moments. This is a classic example of the genre of sporting art, rooted in heritage and outdoor tradition.

🧑🎨 About the Artist: Arthur Roland Knight (1845–1914)

Born in Aston, Birmingham, Knight was the son of a chemist and turned to art professionally by 1871. He relocated to London, where he became one of the few artists to specialize in angling scenes, particularly trout and pike. Knight had a deep understanding of both the sport and its subjects, likely being an avid fisherman himself.

He married Harriet Amy Golding and lived in Walthamstow, where he raised his family and produced much of his work. His paintings have been exhibited globally, and today, public collections such as the Chertsey Museum and Vestry House Museum house his art.

Knight flourished between 1879 and 1921 and is remembered as one of the finest Victorian artists to document angling through vivid, lifelike oil paintings. His works are highly collectible and valued for both their technical skill and historical significance.

✅ This particular painting is signed by the artist in the bottom corner, confirming its authenticity.
✅ The frame also features a name plaque identifying the artist, adding presentation value and clarity for display.

🎨 Composition, Style & Technique

Knight’s style is marked by precise detail, rich naturalistic colors, and an intimate knowledge of his subject. The fish is rendered with striking anatomical accuracy as it writhes just above the water, momentarily suspended in action. The ripples of the river, the motion of the reeds, and the soft evening light filtering through cloud cover all contribute to the painting's immersive depth.

Earthy browns, shadowy greens, and smoky greys contrast beautifully with glimmers of golden light, echoing the quiet tension and beauty of a successful catch. It’s a dramatic composition—one that speaks directly to lovers of nature, angling, and fine traditional painting.

🖌️ Medium & Frame

• Medium: Oil on canvas

• Original Frame: Stepped gilt wood with elegant beaded inner border

• Dimensions of frame:

  • Height: 29 cm

  • Width: 34 cm

  • Depth: 3.5 cm

This piece is painted on a re-lined original canvas, housed in its authentic Victorian gilt frame, adding a museum-quality presence. The warm patina and time-worn details of the frame beautifully complement the naturalistic scene within.

📜 Provenance & Certificate of Authenticity

This work boasts an impressive provenance:

• From a private Southern English collection

• Formerly sold by high end Dorset based Fine Art Auctioneers

• Handled by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

• Exhibited at the prestigious Famous Lord Hill Museum

It is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring full confidence for the discerning collector.

🌟 Why You’ll Love It:

✅ A rare and dynamic portrayal of a quintessential Victorian sport — the moment a prized pike breaks the surface, captured with striking anatomical detail and tension
✅ Painted by Arthur Roland Knight, one of the few Victorian artists to specialize in angling scenes, celebrated for his lifelike depictions and deep understanding of fishing culture
✅ Combines technical mastery with emotional storytelling, from the water’s subtle ripples to the suspense frozen in the fish’s movement
✅ A perfect blend of British sporting tradition and fine art, making it ideal for collectors, country homes, or anyone passionate about nature and outdoor heritage

🔍 Condition Report

The painting is in fine antique condition, showing expected signs of age and character:

• Light foxing and craquelure in some areas

• Small paint loss in the top corner

• Canvas has been relined for longevity

• The frame shows typical wear — scuffs, scratches, small chips, and minor corner separation

• Staples have been added to the reverse to secure the frame

Overall, it retains strong visual appeal and integrity.

🌍 Worldwide Shipping Available

We proudly offer global shipping options with secure packaging and insurance, ensuring this masterpiece arrives safely at your door — wherever you are in the world.

📩 Inquire now to secure this unique piece

🖼️ Available exclusively through Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD