Artwork
The Return of Olivia Goldsmith
The Return of Olivia Goldsmith is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist John Masey Wright. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Return of Olivia Goldsmith is a watercolour illustration by John Masey Wright, depicting a scene from chapter XXII of 'The Vicar of Wakefield'.
Subject & Meaning
The watercolour shows a family gathering in a domestic interior, with a man conversing with a seated woman holding an infant, surrounded by children and women in elaborate attire. The scene conveys a sense of warmth and everyday life.
Technique & Style
Soft colours and loose brushstrokes create a warm, lived-in atmosphere. The artist's use of watercolour captures the soft light streaming through the window, adding to the sense of domesticity.
Context
The illustration is based on a scene from 'The Vicar of Wakefield', a literary work. The clothing and setting suggest a 19th-century context, reflecting the artist's interpretation of everyday life during that period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
John Masey Wright (1777–1866) was a British watercolourist. He was the son of an organ-builder and was apprenticed to the same business, but, as it proved distasteful to him, he was allowed to follow his natural…
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