Who painted Vale of Irthing, Cumberland?

Vale of Irthing, Cumberland was painted by Copley Fielding in 1850.

Where can I see Vale of Irthing, Cumberland?

Vale of Irthing, Cumberland is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Vale of Irthing, Cumberland?

Vale of Irthing, Cumberland is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

Vale of Irthing, Cumberland

Copley Fielding , 1850

Vale of Irthing, Cumberland is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Copley Fielding. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Anthony Vandyke Copley Fielding’s 1850 watercolour captures the Vale of Irthing in Cumberland. A broad, open field leads the eye toward distant hills, while a winding dirt track, bordered by trees and shrubbery, draws the viewer into the scene. Light filters through a partly clouded sky, lending a gentle warmth to the tranquil landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a peaceful rural setting, emphasizing the quiet harmony between land and sky. The meandering path suggests movement through an untouched countryside, inviting contemplation of nature’s calm. The subtle interplay of light and shadow underscores a sense of timeless serenity, characteristic of mid‑nineteenth‑century pastoral ideals.

Technique & Style

Executed in transparent watercolour, Fielding employs delicate washes to render atmospheric effects, particularly the diffused sunlight breaking through clouds. Fine brushwork defines the foliage and distant hills, while broader strokes convey the expanse of the field. The overall approach aligns with realist tendencies, focusing on faithful observation rather than idealised embellishment.

History & Provenance

Signed and dated by the artist, the work entered the public eye when reproduced in Sir William Armstrong’s 1909 volume *Art in Great Britain and Ireland*. This inclusion attests to the painting’s recognition within early twentieth‑century surveys of British landscape art, though its subsequent ownership record remains limited.

Artist & collection

Artist

Copley Fielding

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.