Born in England, Alfred Sharpe studied at Birkenhead School of Art and trained as an architect. He arrived in Auckland, New Zealand in the late 1850s where he married. By 1871, he was exhibiting with the Society of Artists, Auckland and in 1879 received a letter of commendation. He continued exhibiting with the society until 1887, remaining a listed member until 1888. Sharpe was Secretary of the NZ Art Students Association 1884- 85 and in 1885 received a silver medal for landscapes. Around the time Alfred Sharpe's wife became ill (late 1887) he left for Australia and joined his younger brother in Newcastle. In Australia he painted New Zealand scenes as well as Australian ones, but signed his paintings A Sharp, without the 'e'. 1895-1912, Sharpe was listed as a Newcastle architect. As well as being a painter, Sharpe also wrote verse and articles for the paper. Sharpe exhibited in the Melbourne International Exhibition 1880-81, and his work was included in the Centennial Exhibition, Wellington 1940. Sharpe is represented widely in New Zealand and Australia and is known as a watercolourist of distinction.

"Group of Young Tobacco Trees"

Size: 810mm x 625mm

Medium: Watercolour

Price:  Price on application

Size Unframed: 520mm x 345mm

Notes:

1.This painting is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from an independent art valuer.

2. During the period 1871 to 1887 when Alfred Sharpe lived in Auckland, New Zealand, he signed his watercolours with his name spelt Sharpe. In September 1887 Sharpe moved to Australia and changed his name to Sharp. The signature on this painting (signed bottom left) is consistent with the name Sharp used to sign watercolours during the time he lived in Australia.

3. This painting is in excellent condition.