Harrowing--View near the Cross Fells c. 1840

"Harrowing--View near the Cross Fells," a watercolor by English artist Peter De Wint (1784-1849), depicts a dramatic landscape scene. The composition features a wide, open valley dominated by imposing hills and a dramatic sky filled with clouds. The foreground features a group of people with horses and a cart near a stone wall and gate. The distant landscape is filled with a flock of birds in flight, creating a sense of movement and scale. De Wint's mastery of watercolor is evident in the subtle transitions of light and shadow. He captures the fleeting mood of the day, suggesting an imminent downpour in the shadowed skies above the hills. The artwork's details, from the furrowed fields to the grazing sheep, provide a glimpse into rural life during the 19th century. This work showcases De Wint's skill in portraying nature with sensitivity and accuracy, highlighting his key role in the development of English landscape watercolor.