Ponte Vecchio

Born in Manchester, Oppenheimer studied under Walter Crane at Manchester School of Art and in Italy. He settled in Kirkcudbright and for 52 years painted views of the landscape in his local area.   He is said to have commented, “The Highlands are too sensational. Fine to visit. Fine to climb. But not adaptable enough for painting.”   He was a keen fisherman and many of his paintings dealt with rivers and the effect of light on water: he was also a fine painter of snow and an acute observer of weather conditions. He painted both oils and watercolours in a fresh, direct and realistic manner and his popularity is due to his great sensitivity to landscape and light. He retained a love of Italy and produced some excellent canvases of Florence and Venice.   He died in his beloved town of Kirkcudbright.