Artwork
Landscape with a river
Landscape with a river is a watercolor work on paper by the Rococo painting artist Paul Sandby. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1750 watercolour painting presents a serene rural landscape dominated by a central river, with key architectural elements and figures arranged along its banks.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts everyday countryside activity, with a mill-house, tower, archway, and bridge, accompanied by scattered people, animals, and cattle, conveying a sense of peaceful rural life.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose, watery brushstrokes, the work captures the play of light and movement. A muted palette of earthy greens, browns, and soft clouded skies contributes to the tranquil atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1750, the watercolour's specific artist and ownership history are not detailed here, though its style suggests alignment with 18th-century European watercolour traditions.
Context
Comparable works can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum, indicating the piece's connection to a broader body of 18th-century watercolour landscapes celebrating serene natural and rural settings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Sandby, (1731 – 7 November 1809) was an English mapmaker and painter who specialised in landscape art. Along with his older brother Thomas Sandby, he was one of the founding members of the Royal Academy in 1768.
Bisham Abbey, on the Thames
Higham Abbey near Rochester
Millpond near Shrewsbury
Landscape with House by a Pond
Landscape, with meadow and stream
Kidwelly Town
Fishermen's Houses by the Thames at Lambeth
Landscape with cottage and figures
Untitled
Abbot's Bridge, Bury St. Edmunds
Landscape with bridge
Cottages, Corfe