Follower of Benjamin Zobel (German-British, 1762-1830) TWO EWES AND A RAM IN A LANDSCAPE Sand Picture 29 x 36.5cm Provenance: The Betty and Barry Power Collection. Benjamin Zobel began his career in the family confectionery business in Memminghorn, Bavaria. He studied miniature painting in Amsterdam for three years before moving to London where he was employed by Louis Weltge, the Prince Regent's pastry chef, 'Table Decker'. Table decking, introduced into England by George III, involved decorating the tablecloth with elaborate designs of coloured sands, marble dust, powdered glass or breadcrumbs. After a meal these were swept away. A similar technique was employed in the creation of sand pictures - sand, or sugar, was applied to wood or plasterboard and fixed with glue to produce a more long-lasting creation. Zobel is credited with introducing the technique into England; his sand paintings featured wild animals, country scenes, occasionally still lifes and compositions taken from his friend, George Morland. The Isle of Wight and especially Alum Bay was a well-known source of sand.