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On the Thames

David Cox

1828

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Landscape

Dominant colour

On the Thames is a 1828 by David Cox, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: David Cox
When & what style?: 1828 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see a river winding under a cloudy sky, with trees and boats along the banks. Cox painted this with quick, loose strokes—almost like the scene is still moving. The water isn’t smooth; it’s built from tiny dabs of color that flicker like sunlight. He didn’t blend everything neatly, so the wind and light feel alive. Look up *impasto* to see how thick paint can make a scene feel this way.