A View of Lower Rydal Falls, Cumbria 1837

Thomas Fearnley made this drawing of Lower Rydal Falls in Cumbria using pen and brown ink with gray wash over graphite. The picturesque view encapsulates the burgeoning Romantic movement of the early 19th century. Here, Fearnley depicts nature in its raw, untamed form, a theme that resonated deeply with a society undergoing rapid industrialization. The Lake District, with its rugged landscapes and sublime vistas, became a popular destination for artists and writers seeking respite from the urban sprawl. Figures like William Wordsworth helped establish this area as a cultural touchstone. Fearnley's choice of media reflects the artistic conventions of his time. Brown ink and gray wash were commonly used for landscape sketches, allowing artists to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow. By emphasizing the aesthetic qualities of nature, Fearnley implicitly critiques the environmental degradation caused by industrial progress. To fully appreciate Fearnley's work, we can turn to period travel guides, literary sources, and social histories to contextualize his artistic choices within the broader cultural landscape of early 19th-century Britain.