Artwork
After the fire at Tyttenhanger
After the fire at Tyttenhanger is a watercolor work on paper by Marchioness of Waterford Louisa Anne. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Louisa Anne, Marchioness of Waterford, created a watercolour in 1864 entitled *After the fire at Tyttenhanger*. The work is mounted on paper and bears a pencilled title on its surface. It records the aftermath of a blaze that damaged a rural building, presenting a brief, observational record of the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a modest structure whose roof has collapsed and whose walls appear weathered and partially missing. A solitary, gnarled tree occupies the foreground, its twisted limbs emphasizing the desolation. The muted palette of greys and browns conveys the somber atmosphere following the fire, while the open sky introduces a hint of distance.
Technique & Style
Executed with a loose, rapid hand, the watercolour suggests an on‑site sketch rather than a studio piece. Broad washes define the building’s mass and the tree’s silhouette, while light and shadow are rendered with minimal detail. The artist prioritises overall shape and tonal contrast over precise rendering, characteristic of plein‑air studies of the period.
History & Provenance
The work bears the artist’s handwritten title on the mount, confirming its subject. Created in the mid‑nineteenth century, it reflects the Marchioness’s personal engagement with contemporary events. The piece now resides in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is catalogued among other watercolours documenting rural English life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marchioness of Waterford Louisa Anne
Louisa Anne Beresford, Marchioness of Waterford (née Stuart; 14 April 1818 – 12 May 1891) was a British Pre-Raphaelite watercolourist and philanthropist.
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