This late 19th-century oil painting by British artist Robert William Arthur Rouse RBA (1867-1951) depicts a picturesque view on the River Stour in Kent. Rouse was a skilled landscape painter, illustrator and etcher.
Captivated by the enchanting verdancy of the English home counties, Rouse was a man of nature. Going to it, working predominantly outdoors, and describing its ever-changing moods with a poetic spirit. He enjoyed the freedom of the open air - simply pitching an easel on a damp riverbank, studying the elements, and painting. An approach which may seem obvious today, but during the late 19th century it was deemed as ‘modern’.
In 1880, an art critic described Rouse as a member of “our modern landscape school” who “aim at the portrayal of simple transcripts of nature, judiciously selected, painted chiefly on the spot, with little regard to traditional rules of composition and chiaroscuro.” It’s tricky to decipher whether this is a compliment or otherwise. Other artists on this ‘modern’ list include Alfred de Breanski (1852-1928), David Bates (1840-1921), Joshua Anderson Hague (1850-1916) and Henry John Yeend King (1855-1924). Each of these opting to abandon stereotypical compositions in favour of painting what they saw.
Given the transient nature of light, this in itself is a challenging endeavour. How does one capture a view rapidly enough to describe it accurately, while also working to an acceptable level of fidelity? It feels as if Rouse spent his career trying to figure this out as his oeuvre is a varied one. At times, his rapid studies feel sketchy and loose, more akin to his French contemporaries, but he could also produce finer, more finessed works, as we see here in this view of the River Stour in Kent.
The reflections, shimmering ripples, sinuous trees with autumnal hues and passing clouds are all rendered deftly. There’s a sense of movement, both in the water and the sky - he’s somehow managed to convey the temperature. Given its complexity, it’s plausible that he began this outdoors before completing it in his studio. Or alternatively, he could’ve returned for several days in the hope of consistent weather.
Aside from his oils, he also produced numerous illustrations for poetry books and George Dewar’s ‘Wildlife in Hampshire’. His works were shown at the Royal Academy, the Royal Society of British Artists, where he was a member, and the Paris Salon.
Signed/dated lower left and held within a later frame.
Learn more about Robert William Arthur Rouse RBA in our directory.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 46” x 32” / 117cm x 81cm
Year of creation: 1895
Provenance: Private collection, UK.
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Canvas relined.
Artist’s auction maximum: £4,500 for ‘Beside an Undershot Mill’, Oil on canvas, Sotheby's, Victorian Pictures - Drawings & Watercolours, London, 1989 (lot 30).
Our reference: BRV1873
