Artwork
Okehampton
Okehampton is a watercolor work on paper by Samuel Prout. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1850, this watercolor depicts a tranquil river scene near Okehampton. A stone bridge with a prominent central arch spans the water, while a horse‑drawn cart makes its way across. Distant mountains rise behind a lightly veiled sky, and modest vegetation lines the banks.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a typical rural passage, emphasizing the interaction between human activity and the natural landscape. The cart suggests everyday travel, while the serene atmosphere conveys a sense of calm and continuity within the countryside.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor, the work relies on transparent washes to render the hazy sky and soft foliage. Delicate brushwork defines the stone texture of the bridge and the subtle gradations of light across the water, creating a gentle, atmospheric effect.
History & Provenance
The piece bears the artist’s monogram ‘SP’, linking it to the mid‑nineteenth‑century watercolourist known by those initials. Its date of 1850 places it within the period when British landscape painters frequently documented regional scenes.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Samuel Prout (; 17 September 1783 – 10 February 1852) was a British watercolourist, and one of the masters of watercolour architectural painting, who largely invented the genre of the grand steet scene in British…
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