Artwork
South Downs near Rottingdean, Sussex
South Downs near Rottingdean, Sussex is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Copley Fielding. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The artist focused on how light hits the hills, making them look gentle but strong.
This watercolor shows rolling hills and cliffs with soft, wavy lines. The sky is pale, blending into the distant land. Below, the ground looks rough and uneven, with patches of shadow and light.
The artist focused on how light hits the hills, making them look gentle but strong. This was painted near a real place called Rottingdean in 1846.
Next, check out Romanticism to see how artists used nature to express big feelings.
Overview
Anthony Vandyke Copley Fielding's 1846 watercolour, 'South Downs near Rottingdean, Sussex', captures a serene landscape of the South Downs, characterized by rolling hills, cliffs, and a soft, pale sky blending with the distant terrain.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a specific Sussex location, Rottingdean, depicted with an emphasis on the interplay of light and landscape, conveying a sense of gentle yet robust natural beauty.
Technique & Style
Fielding employed soft, wavy lines and nuanced shading to render the uneven ground, with a focus on capturing the effects of light on the hills, achieving a balance of subtlety and depth.
History & Provenance
Signed and dated by the artist, the work was part of Richard Ellison's collection of 100 British watercolours. After Ellison's death, his widow donated the collection in two parts (1860 and 1873) to support the National Collection of Water Colour Paintings.
Context
Created in 1846, the piece reflects the Romantic era's emphasis on nature and emotional expression, as seen in the artist's use of light to evoke a sense of serenity and strength in the landscape.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anthony Vandyke Copley Fielding (22 November 1787 – 3 March 1855), commonly called Copley Fielding, was an English painter born in Sowerby, near Halifax, and famous for his watercolour landscapes.
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