Kate Lowry has noted: Examined in frame, off the wall. The gilt compo frame is probably not contemporary with the painting. Frame is unglazed and not backed. Painting is held loosely in frame with nails and corks. Support: Original canvas is medium weight, simple weave linen. Relined with wax adhesive onto a similar weight linen canvas. According to the current owner relining was carried out in 1986 when the painting was borrowed for an English Heritage exhibition, Finest Prospects, at Kenwood House. Attachment to stretcher is by tacks through the lining turnover edges. Original turnovers could not be seen, but may have been removed at the time of first lining. The stretcher is not original and probably dates from relining although it still retains some older exhibition labels. The pine stretcher has four members, square mortice joints and provision for keying out. All keys are present. The stretcher and the lining are in good condition. The painting support is quite flat and tension is good. Ground: As the turnovers are not visible and the paint film quite opaque, it is difficult to assess the ground, however mature cracks in the sky suggest that it is grey in colour and it appears to be smooth. Paint Film: Oil medium. Paint applied opaquely with some slight impasto in the distant river landscape, foreground figures and tree foliage. Characteristic of Wilson is the range of green and brown tones used in the foliage, the distant landscape rendered with a few strong and expressive brushstrokes and the tiny figures on the other side of the river at the right of the composition. Generally in very good condition with just one small retouched damage in the sky to the left of the right hand tree foliage. This is visible in normal light. Under UV light no other damages are visible. The dark parallel brushstrokes in the right hand tree appear rather mechanical and may be by a later hand attempting to make the foliage look more substantial here. Surface Film: Overall coating of resin varnish dating from the cleaning treatment which took place in 1986. In good condition. The general condition of the painting is excellent. The paint film and ground are secure and the support is sound.
