Artwork
The Entrance Hall of Mortham Tower, Rokeby, Yorkshire
The Entrance Hall of Mortham Tower, Rokeby, Yorkshire is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Richard CB, RA, ARA Redgrave. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Entrance Hall of Mortham Tower, Rokeby, Yorkshire is a watercolour painting depicting a serene interior of a historic residence. Created in 1838, it captures a hallway with wooden furniture, potted plants, and a doorway leading outdoors, characterized by soft, muted colours and gentle lighting.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is the entrance hall of Mortham Tower, portrayed as a calm, inviting space. The artwork reflects the artist's perspective as a guest, capturing everyday elegance and tranquility within a historic setting.
Technique & Style
The painting showcases meticulous attention to detail in rendering furniture and light effects. Its soft colours and gentle illumination evoke a sense of serenity, aligning with Romantic-era aesthetics that emphasized emotional resonance and natural light.
History & Provenance
Created during a stay at Mortham Tower in 1838, this watercolour was one of two nearly identical pieces produced by Richard Redgrave and his companion Thomas Cope, differing primarily in the depiction of the garden door's state.
Context
As a work from 1838, it situates within the Romantic movement, emphasizing interior domesticity and natural light. The collaboration between Redgrave and Cope highlights their shared artistic explorations during travels.
Legacy
While not individually renowned, the piece contributes to Richard Redgrave's broader oeuvre, characteristic of mid-19th-century British watercolour practices focusing on everyday life and serene landscapes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Richard Redgrave painted quiet English woods, cottages, and manor halls in watercolour and oil.
Donatello: design for a mosaic in the Museum (the 'Kensington Valhalla')
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Study for the woman near the doorway in <i>Cinderella About to Try on the Glass Slipper</i> (1842)
Study of the boy with his finger in his mouth for <i>Sunday Morning: Walk from Church</i>
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Watercolour
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The dias and dining table at Haddon Hall