DOI article:
Halton, Ernest G.: The water-colours of Alfred W. Rich
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21214#0014
The Water-Colours of Alfred IV. Rick
human figure often plays an important role, and
its omission may detract considerably from the
value of the colour scheme or the balance of the
composition. Yet in most of Mr. Rich’s land-
scapes its presence would almost seem an intrusion.
We would ask our readers carefully to examine
any of the drawings reproduced here (with the
exception of that on page 9, to which reference
will be made later), and we venture to think they
will agree with this opinion. May it not be that
in this particular aspect of Mr. Rich’s art we have
yet another proof of his individuality, and also of
his deep reverence for and sympathy with nature ?
The reproductions which accompany these notes
represent some of Mr. Rich’s most recent work and
have been selected, not only on account of their
intrinsic merit as examples of water-colour painting,
but also because they show fairly adequately the
different sides of his art. In Ludloiv Castle, which
forms one of our supplements in colours, the fine
atmospheric qualities, clever management of light
and shade, pleasing and harmonious colour-scheme,
and vigorous cloud-painting show the artist at his
best. This beautiful English scene is rendered
with a happy freedom, yet all its essential features
have been carefully preserved. Even more interest-
ing in composition The Old Bridge at Ludlow
(p. 7) is yet not quite so expressive. The treatment
of the water, especially near the bridge, falling, we
venture to think, a little short of the artist’s usual
accomplishment. But the drawing possesses many
admirable qualities, notably in the effect of the
heavy clouds upon the landscape, a problem which
only the ablest of landscape painters have mastered
satisfactorily. The third Ludlow subject (p. 8) has
been drawn from a more elevated position. It is
a spacious composition, pleasing in general tone, to
which the coarse texture of the .paper has given an
agreeable effect. Both these drawings have been
executed in the artist’s broadest and most vigorous
style.
The beautiful country around Richmond in York-
shire has inspired Mr Rich in many of his most
successful works, but seldom with such happy results
as in the Richmond Castle shown on page 4. This
drawing is almost dramatic in the effect of the
contrast between the remarkable light in the centre
and the dark trees in the foreground. The general
treatment is masterly in its simplicity, and as an
example of the wonderful possibilities of the medium
“ LUDLOW ”
BY ALFRED W. RICH
human figure often plays an important role, and
its omission may detract considerably from the
value of the colour scheme or the balance of the
composition. Yet in most of Mr. Rich’s land-
scapes its presence would almost seem an intrusion.
We would ask our readers carefully to examine
any of the drawings reproduced here (with the
exception of that on page 9, to which reference
will be made later), and we venture to think they
will agree with this opinion. May it not be that
in this particular aspect of Mr. Rich’s art we have
yet another proof of his individuality, and also of
his deep reverence for and sympathy with nature ?
The reproductions which accompany these notes
represent some of Mr. Rich’s most recent work and
have been selected, not only on account of their
intrinsic merit as examples of water-colour painting,
but also because they show fairly adequately the
different sides of his art. In Ludloiv Castle, which
forms one of our supplements in colours, the fine
atmospheric qualities, clever management of light
and shade, pleasing and harmonious colour-scheme,
and vigorous cloud-painting show the artist at his
best. This beautiful English scene is rendered
with a happy freedom, yet all its essential features
have been carefully preserved. Even more interest-
ing in composition The Old Bridge at Ludlow
(p. 7) is yet not quite so expressive. The treatment
of the water, especially near the bridge, falling, we
venture to think, a little short of the artist’s usual
accomplishment. But the drawing possesses many
admirable qualities, notably in the effect of the
heavy clouds upon the landscape, a problem which
only the ablest of landscape painters have mastered
satisfactorily. The third Ludlow subject (p. 8) has
been drawn from a more elevated position. It is
a spacious composition, pleasing in general tone, to
which the coarse texture of the .paper has given an
agreeable effect. Both these drawings have been
executed in the artist’s broadest and most vigorous
style.
The beautiful country around Richmond in York-
shire has inspired Mr Rich in many of his most
successful works, but seldom with such happy results
as in the Richmond Castle shown on page 4. This
drawing is almost dramatic in the effect of the
contrast between the remarkable light in the centre
and the dark trees in the foreground. The general
treatment is masterly in its simplicity, and as an
example of the wonderful possibilities of the medium
“ LUDLOW ”
BY ALFRED W. RICH