The life and paintings of Vicat Cole, R. A. (1898) (14779062895)

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:
em unequalled in landscape art. His power in de-picting the surface of water and reflections in all theirsubtle delicacy has been frequently noticed, and is wellillustrated in this picture ; as are also the fine drawingand perspective which, combined with luminous splendour,give to his skies their singular beauty of effect. Thisluminous splendour in the sky, reflected in finelygradated tones on the surface of the stream, transformsthe landscape into a vision of loveliness. Wargrave is perhaps the last of his pictures whichwas begun, and in great part completed, on the spot.The artist was staying with his family in the villageduring the previous summer, and painted on the canvaswhich was exhibited the following year. Wet weatherprevailed during much of the season, and many dayscould only be used in making studies. In his diary theentries run day by day :— Painting (16 in. by 23 in.)study of water-lilies ; Made study (on 30 in. by 20in. canvas) of loosestrife and docks; Made sketch of
Text Appearing After Image:
\vmk:il\ vi:r 79 arrow-heads5 up the backwater; Made study of ferry-boat at Wargrave; Made study of weeds for leftbank of Streatley picture; Making studies of movingwater; Made sketch of reeds and osiers, etc., on 30in. by 18 in. canvas; Made sketch (30 in. by 18 in.)of willow trees and water at the mouth of the Loddon ; Made sketch of cattle and trees at mouth of theLoddon ; Made sketch of man in a punt with sedge. Making sketches of skies is sometimes a daily entryfor a week in succession. Thus the Royal Academicianwas a learner still in Dame Natures school, as he was,indeed, to the end of his life. Many of these verystudies have been reproduced in this work. Two ofthem—the man in a punt with sedge, and the ferry-boat—are introduced very effectively in this picture. Enough has, perhaps, been said to call attentionto the many fine qualities of Wargrave, but themore this artists pictures are studied, the moreexcellences will be discovered in them. He wasunsurpassed in his close ob