St. Paul's Cathedral from Westminster Bridge
1776
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1776
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
You see a soft watercolor of St. Paul’s Cathedral across the Thames, the dome rising above a low bridge and hazy riverbanks. Payne was one of the first British artists to use watercolor for big city views instead of tiny landscapes. He mixed dry brush with wet washes to make the light shimmer on the water—something most watercolorists of the time avoided. The result feels loose and fresh, like a quick sketch, even though it’s a finished work. Look up other watercolors in the Victoria and Albert Museum to see how Payne’s style stands out.
