Artwork
Study from nature near Handborough, Oxfordshire

Study from nature near Handborough, Oxfordshire is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist John Varley. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
John Varley created this watercolour study in 1804, capturing a natural scene near Handborough in Oxfordshire.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene landscape with a river flowing through it, featuring soft greens, browns, and a pale beige sky. A line of dark trees is set against a gentle slope, creating a sense of depth.
Technique & Style
The watercolour is characterized by its simplicity and attention to detail, with subtle shifts in light and a notable contrast between the dark river water and the lighter surrounding land.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
John Varley (17 August 1778 – 17 November 1842) was an English watercolour painter and astrologer, and a close friend of William Blake.




![Study of a Head in Profile [verso], by John Varley](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-varley--study-of-a-head-in-profile-verso--3e16e84b6ceccae1-w320.webp)


![Two Studies of a Figure Holding a Basket [verso], by John Varley](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-varley--two-studies-of-a-figure-holding-a-basket-verso--7e8aaeb3f643e9b3-w320.webp)











