" The Den" Cropthorne
best. He sees in the brawny figure of the labourer All these things he has done in a quiet, reserved
the finest possibilities for strong decorative arrange- manner, never for one moment forgetting that
ments. The group of workmen in cool shadow his mission was an entirely subordinate one, that
against the glow of a summer sun, pouring itself the first function of the room is to show to
down like gold upon the piles of excavated earth, the very best advantage the works of his fellow-
the rhythm of movement in the ever-changing poses artists. A S. Covey.
of the workers, a striking of strong notes of colour
here and there throughout the composition, have all F I "^HE DEN, CROPTHORNE, WOR-
produced a result as overwhelming, as enchanting, CESTERSHIRE.
as if one were listening to the clanging rhythmic
notes of the Anvil Chorus. The old country house, of which we
The group of the smiths is perhaps the finest herewith give illustrations, although not large, is
of the four panels. Here the scheme of lighting typical of a class of buildings which, perhaps by
is reversed, and the two foreground figures stand very reason of their humble origin, have come
out in the warm, golden light from the forge, while down to us from almost mediaeval times, not only
the two on the opposite side of the anvil sink into in considerable numbers, but in many cases with
a greyish-blue shadow. A strong note of blue is most of their original features and characteristics
seen in the glimpse of the afternoon summer sky intact.
which one gets through the opening beyond. But In the county of Worcester are many of these
these panels are but respondent notes to the room half-timbered houses, the one we illustrate being
itself. The pleasure he has given us is far greater, situated in the picturesque village of Cropthorne,
He has filled the room with a vibration of colour on an eminence above the River Avon, down to
harmonies, as the skilled musician at the organ the banks of which its garden slopes ; the stream
floods the room with harmonious volumes of sound. itself flowing, though scarcely seen in the picture,
fa
292
"THE DEN," CROPTHORNE, FROM THE ROAD
best. He sees in the brawny figure of the labourer All these things he has done in a quiet, reserved
the finest possibilities for strong decorative arrange- manner, never for one moment forgetting that
ments. The group of workmen in cool shadow his mission was an entirely subordinate one, that
against the glow of a summer sun, pouring itself the first function of the room is to show to
down like gold upon the piles of excavated earth, the very best advantage the works of his fellow-
the rhythm of movement in the ever-changing poses artists. A S. Covey.
of the workers, a striking of strong notes of colour
here and there throughout the composition, have all F I "^HE DEN, CROPTHORNE, WOR-
produced a result as overwhelming, as enchanting, CESTERSHIRE.
as if one were listening to the clanging rhythmic
notes of the Anvil Chorus. The old country house, of which we
The group of the smiths is perhaps the finest herewith give illustrations, although not large, is
of the four panels. Here the scheme of lighting typical of a class of buildings which, perhaps by
is reversed, and the two foreground figures stand very reason of their humble origin, have come
out in the warm, golden light from the forge, while down to us from almost mediaeval times, not only
the two on the opposite side of the anvil sink into in considerable numbers, but in many cases with
a greyish-blue shadow. A strong note of blue is most of their original features and characteristics
seen in the glimpse of the afternoon summer sky intact.
which one gets through the opening beyond. But In the county of Worcester are many of these
these panels are but respondent notes to the room half-timbered houses, the one we illustrate being
itself. The pleasure he has given us is far greater, situated in the picturesque village of Cropthorne,
He has filled the room with a vibration of colour on an eminence above the River Avon, down to
harmonies, as the skilled musician at the organ the banks of which its garden slopes ; the stream
floods the room with harmonious volumes of sound. itself flowing, though scarcely seen in the picture,
fa
292
"THE DEN," CROPTHORNE, FROM THE ROAD