The life and paintings of Vicat Cole, R. A. (1898) (14775966791)

Identifier: lifepaintingsofv01chig (find matches)
Title: The life and paintings of Vicat Cole, R. A.
Year: 1898 (1890s)
Authors: Chignell, Robert
Subjects: Cole, Vicat, 1833-1893
Publisher: London, New York (etc.) Cassell and company, limited
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Getty Research Institute



Text Appearing Before Image:
ould only be making use of an acknowledged libertyin art, that of giving prominence to the most charac-teristic feature of his subject; but lie has, in reality,secured the desired effect by legitimate means. Thesmoke of the town, lit up by the rays of sunset, formsan atmosphere at the base of the castle which givesto the whole hill a striking appearance of increasedheight and size. This is a well-known natural illusion,and the artist has availed himself of it with greatskill and entire fidelity. With all the transparency which the effect givesto the buildings, the sense of massive strength ispreserved. This is accomplished by the artiststhorough method of work. He first painted everydetail, every line, as firmly and solidly as they wouldappear in a clear atmosphere, and then threw overthem the golden veil of evening light. The result ismarvellously effective. In the words of Mr. Ruskin,quoted in the previous volume, The forms, once solaboriously realised, come out with a startling and
Text Appearing After Image:
117.WAVo// CASTLE. 11 1 impressive truth, which the uncertainty in which theyare veiled enhances rather than diminishes. The rays of the setting sun illumine the walls withan ethereal splendour, and transform the majestic pileinto a poetic vision of some empyrean city. Beyond,filmy clouds catch, and give back, the golden sunsetglory. Nothing could be more exquisite than therendering of the shadows, touched with reflected light,on the buildings and trees below them on the hill.Like shadows, mingling with soft gleams of sunshine,add a sense of mystery to the town itself. Across theriver, the fine group of the Brocas elms stand, steepedin sunlight, and tinged with the same mysteriouscharm. We look down the broad sweep of river, itscurrent flowing from us. Its surface reflects the glowinghues of the sky; reflections are broken up by many aneddy and swirl, for here the current is strong. Only onthe right of the picture is depth of complete shadow andits reflections introduced, and there wi