Artwork

Boley Hill and Castle, Rochester, with the "Justice Tree"

Boley Hill and Castle, Rochester, with the "Justice Tree", by Thomas Rowlandson, watercolor, 1780
Boley Hill and Castle, Rochester, with the "Justice Tree", by Thomas Rowlandson, watercolor, 1780

Boley Hill and Castle, Rochester, with the "Justice Tree" is a watercolor work on paper by the Rococo painting artist Thomas Rowlandson. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This watercolour painting depicts a riverside scene in Rochester, featuring Boley Hill and Rochester Castle.

About this work

Overview

This watercolour painting depicts a riverside scene in Rochester, featuring Boley Hill and Rochester Castle.

Subject & Meaning

The scene includes the 'Justice Tree,' a gathering spot, and various figures engaged in everyday activities, such as a horse-drawn wagon and pedestrians.

Technique & Style

The artist employed soft washes of gray and brown to capture the interplay of light and shadow, conveying a sense of atmosphere.

Context

The painting shows a 15th-century turret on the castle's west front, which was later removed, providing a historical snapshot of the site.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Thomas Rowlandson

Artist

Thomas Rowlandson

Thomas Rowlandson (; 13 July 1757 – 21 April 1827) was an English artist and caricaturist of the Georgian Era, noted for his political satire and social observation.