The Mitre, Paddington Canal
1812
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1812
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This sketch shows a busy riverside scene with a small crowd gathered near a tree. People are walking, talking, and some are sitting by the water’s edge. Behind them, a tall tree with pinkish leaves stands over a simple building with a pointed roof—maybe a pub or a shop. The artist used loose, quick brushstrokes to fill the scene with movement, almost like a sketchbook doodle. The colors are soft and muted, with lots of watery washes blending together. If you like this sketchy, lively style, look up Romanticism.
