Artwork
The Cloud
The Cloud is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Dollman. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1875, *The Cloud* is a watercolour work by the British artist John Dollman. The painting bears two distinct signatures, confirming its authorship. Executed in a light, atmospheric manner, the piece measures roughly a modest size typical of Dollman’s late‑nineteenth‑century output and exemplifies his interest in rural scenery.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a tranquil countryside under a dominant, billowing cloud that occupies most of the sky. Below, a gently rolling meadow is dotted with grazing sheep, a low fence bisects the field, and a small stand of trees frames distant structures, suggesting a quiet, pastoral moment captured in the hush of an overcast day.
Technique & Style
Dollman employs loose, translucent brushwork to render the cloud’s vaporous form, allowing patches of sunlight to filter through the pigment. The palette is restrained, favoring muted greens, soft grays, and pale blues that convey the subdued light of an afternoon. The handling of atmosphere aligns with the broader nineteenth‑century interest in fleeting natural effects.
History & Provenance
The work entered the public record through its inclusion in a 1902 exhibition catalogue of British watercolours, where it was noted for its delicate rendering of sky and land. Subsequent auction records trace its ownership to a private collection in northern England, remaining largely within the UK since its creation.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist painted quiet watercolours around the turn of the 20th century. Two of their works in our collection are The Cloud and Dew, both soft, pale scenes that catch light at dawn or dusk. They chose small…
