Horace Van Ruith (British, 1839-1923)
Coffee Bearer
Watercolour on paper
Signed 'H.V. Ruith' lower right
54.7 x 36.3 cm
Framed and glazed

Horace van Ruith (1839-1923) was a British artist known for his detailed and evocative watercolours active in the late 19th and early 20th century. His career as an artist took off in the 1880s when he worked in India and he later consolidated his reputation when he moved to London in 1892. He was a regular contributor to the Royal Academy and worked in oils and water-colors, and predominantly made landscapes, portraits, and scenes from ‘daily life’.He documented scenes encountered during his travels throughout Europe, the Middle East, and India, capturing the essence of these diverse cultures through his art. A captivating watercolour by Horace van Ruith, depicting a coffee bearer. The figure, likely of Middle Eastern or Indian origin, stands confidently, holding a steaming cup of coffee on a small tray. Van Ruith captures the essence of the subject with his charming and cheeky smile.

For similar example of Van Ruith's watercolours see The Cotton-cleaner, 1886 held in the Royal Collection.