DOI issue:
Nr. 225 (November 1915)
DOI article:Halton, Ernest G.: The water-colours of Alfred W. Rich
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.43460#0025
THE
DIO
The water-colours of
ALFRED W. RICH.
On first studying the work of Mr. A. W.
Rich we are inevitably tempted to draw a com-
parison between his water-colours and those of the
Early English masters of the medium. Yet the
further we carry our investigations the more are we
impressed with the fact that he owres, in reality,
but little to the example of these men, notwith-
standing that, on earlier acquaintance, there seems
to be a more than superficial affinity between their
to emotions aroused by direct contact with nature,
and it is this which gives to his art its freshness
and individuality, and stimulates our interest.
Having thus briefly stated what we conceive
to be the relationship between the work of Mr.
Rich and that of the earlier water-colourists, let us
now consider his art in its direct bearing upon
modern practice and present-day ideals. First
a word as to his technique, and here, perhaps, we
touch upon the most absorbing side of our sub-
ject for artists. As a devout student of nature,
practically all Mr. Rich’s work has been done in
art and his. Indeed, Mr.
Rich has said that since
he was quite a boy he
has taken delight in the
charmingly direct mode
of expression of Peter de
Wint, Girtin, Cotman,
Varley, Muller, Tom
Collier and men of the
same school, and has
accepted them as his
mentors. But it is to
nature herself that he in-
variably goes direct for
inspiration ; and he is not
content, despite the ad-
miration he acknowledges
for the artists just men-
tioned, to view her
through their vision. In
short, while showing a
full appreciation of the
undoubted merits of the
work of his predecessors,
and a generous meed of
admiration for the fine
tradition their drawings
embodied, he has adopted
only those elements which
enable him to interpret
most adequately his ideas,
and which harmonise with
his own artistic impulse.
His methods are the
natural outcome of a tem-
perament which is always
seeking to give expression
LVII. No. 225.—November
BY ALFRED W. RICH
1915
NETLEY ABBEY, HAMPSHIRE
DIO
The water-colours of
ALFRED W. RICH.
On first studying the work of Mr. A. W.
Rich we are inevitably tempted to draw a com-
parison between his water-colours and those of the
Early English masters of the medium. Yet the
further we carry our investigations the more are we
impressed with the fact that he owres, in reality,
but little to the example of these men, notwith-
standing that, on earlier acquaintance, there seems
to be a more than superficial affinity between their
to emotions aroused by direct contact with nature,
and it is this which gives to his art its freshness
and individuality, and stimulates our interest.
Having thus briefly stated what we conceive
to be the relationship between the work of Mr.
Rich and that of the earlier water-colourists, let us
now consider his art in its direct bearing upon
modern practice and present-day ideals. First
a word as to his technique, and here, perhaps, we
touch upon the most absorbing side of our sub-
ject for artists. As a devout student of nature,
practically all Mr. Rich’s work has been done in
art and his. Indeed, Mr.
Rich has said that since
he was quite a boy he
has taken delight in the
charmingly direct mode
of expression of Peter de
Wint, Girtin, Cotman,
Varley, Muller, Tom
Collier and men of the
same school, and has
accepted them as his
mentors. But it is to
nature herself that he in-
variably goes direct for
inspiration ; and he is not
content, despite the ad-
miration he acknowledges
for the artists just men-
tioned, to view her
through their vision. In
short, while showing a
full appreciation of the
undoubted merits of the
work of his predecessors,
and a generous meed of
admiration for the fine
tradition their drawings
embodied, he has adopted
only those elements which
enable him to interpret
most adequately his ideas,
and which harmonise with
his own artistic impulse.
His methods are the
natural outcome of a tem-
perament which is always
seeking to give expression
LVII. No. 225.—November
BY ALFRED W. RICH
1915
NETLEY ABBEY, HAMPSHIRE