St. Paul's Cathedral from the River Thames
1852
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1852
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This watercolor shows a river with boats tied up along the bank. Across the water, a row of old buildings lines the shore. In the center stands a big dome with a tall cross on top—it’s the main focus of the scene. The sky is pale, and the whole painting has a soft, slightly faded look. The artist used loose brushstrokes to capture light and shadow, especially on the water and buildings. The boats and riverbank are darker, while the dome glows a bit brighter. Next, check out Realism to see how artists like this one aimed to paint life as it truly looked.
