Alfred Daniels RBA RWS Oil Painting ‘St. Paul's Across the Thames’ London View, 1969

Alfred Daniels RBA RWS Oil Painting ‘St. Paul's Across the Thames’ London View, 1969

This exceptional 1969 oil painting is a quintessential example of the work of celebrated British artist Alfred Daniels (1924–2015). Titled ‘St. Paul's Across the Thames’, this piece beautifully showcases Daniels' signature, highly stylised approach to urban landscape painting, a style that earned him a reputation as one of the most distinctive visual chroniclers of 20th-century British life.

The composition captures a dramatic, low-angle perspective looking across the River Thames toward the monumental dome of Sir Christopher Wren’s St Paul’s Cathedral. Daniels employs his characteristic structural, almost graphic linework to break down the London architectural skyline into a series of bold, geometric forms. The water in the foreground is rendered with a rhythmic, textured patterning of waves, while a historic Thames barge anchors the left-hand register, paying homage to London's industrial river heritage. The restricted yet impactful palette captures the unique, atmospheric quality of post-war London light, balancing muted industrial greys and blues with the crisp white silhouette of the iconic cathedral dome.

History, Provenance & Origin

Artist: Alfred Daniels RBA, RWS (British, 1924–2015)

Title of Work: St. Paul's Across the Thames

Date of Creation: Signed and dated 1969 (lower right)

Origin: London, United Kingdom

Medium: Oil on board

Dimensions: 27 x 50 cm (10½ x 19½ in.)

Framing: Housed in its original, mid-century multi-layered wooden presentation frame with a classic white-textured slip.

Provenance: Sourced from an esteemed private collection of Modern British Art. The Collection of Donald & Hilary Macpherson

Dealer’s Comments

"Alfred Daniels had an extraordinary gift for turning the familiar grit of London into something wonderfully structural, almost toy-like, yet deeply sophisticated. This 1969 view of St Paul’s is an absolute triumph of his mid-career period. Rather than relying on soft impressionism, Daniels locks the Thames and the city skyline into this beautifully disciplined, flat graphic harmony that feels entirely modern. The inclusion of the river barge and the stylized treatment of the river waves are classic Daniels hallmarks. Pieces from the late 1960s focusing on iconic London landmarks are arguably his most collectible, making this a stellar acquisition for serious investors in Modern British art."

Condition Report

This painting is in excellent original vintage condition. The oil paint layer is entirely stable and securely adhered to the board, displaying crisp definition and no signs of historic paint loss, flaking, or restoration. The surface shows a light, entirely natural age-appropriate patination. The original mid-century frame is structurally sound, showing only very minor, gentle wear consistent with its age, perfectly preserving its authentic period presentation.

Measurements

Height:             42 cm /     16.5 inch

Width:              65 cm /     25.6 inch

Depth:              2 cm /      0.8 inch

Weight:            1.7 k.g. /    3.7 lbs

Size of painting without frame

28 cm x 50 cm