The road to Beaumont's Farm
Watercolour by W. A. Nicholls depicting "The road to Beaumont's Farm". 1890.
A dirt path meanders through the centre of the composition, its soft, uneven surface suggesting years of use by walkers, carts, and the slow tread of animals. Flanking the path on both sides are trees in full leaf, their branches reaching out and over the road in a loose, natural arch. The foliage is painted in layered washes of green, with hints of ochre and brown, giving the impression of dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy.
Near the centre of the image, a white wooden gate opens into a fenced area where farming equipment is kept. Nestled in the background, partially hidden by the trees, is a small building with a red-tiled roof. Its walls are pale and indistinct.
On the left side of the path, near a patch of low bushes and wildflowers, a solitary figure lies on the ground. Next to it a bundle is laying on the ground.
Artist Biography
W. A. Nicholls (fl. 1880s) A 19th-century British watercolourist, Nicholls captured the changing landscapes of Putney and Chelsea with atmospheric detail and topographical accuracy. His works, often signed and dated, document London’s riverside before urban redevelopment and remain valued for their historical insight and artistic technique. Nicholls’ technique combined watercolour with pencil and white highlights, often employing scratching-out methods to enhance texture and detail.
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