Artwork
Queen Eleanor's Cross, Waltham Cross, Herts
Queen Eleanor's Cross, Waltham Cross, Herts is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Richard Thomas Underwood. It dates from 14 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This watercolour depicts the Eleanor Cross at Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, rendered in soft, muted colors.
About this work
Overview
This watercolour depicts the Eleanor Cross at Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, rendered in soft, muted colors. The artist, Richard Thomas Underwood, created the work in 1814.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows the weathered stone cross in a quiet courtyard, surrounded by a brick building, people, horses, and simple houses. The cross's intricate carvings and pointed arches are detailed, conveying a sense of age and history.
Technique & Style
Underwood's use of watercolour achieves a gentle, realistic representation of the stone cross. The muted colors and attention to detail are characteristic of a style that values accurate depiction of outdoor scenes.
History & Provenance
The artist's name and the date, 1814, are inscribed on the reverse of the painting, providing a clear attribution and date for the work.
Context
The painting is associated with the Romanticism movement, which often featured detailed and atmospheric outdoor scenes.
Artist & collection
Artist
This watercolor artist painted quiet, detailed scenes of early English landmarks.
Waltham Cross
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Waltham Cross in 1812