Lady Fall, Vale of Heath, and Fall on the Brent, from Picturesque Selections 1860

James Duffield Harding created "Lady Fall, Vale of Heath, and Fall on the Brent, from Picturesque Selections" using lithography. The print presents two distinct landscape scenes, each capturing a waterfall. On the left, a cascade descends from rugged, rocky heights, the water rendered with dynamic, flowing lines that suggest movement and force. To the right, a more tranquil scene unfolds, with a stone bridge arching over a gentle stream. Harding’s use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a rich tonal range, from the dark shadows of the rocks to the bright highlights on the water’s surface. The composition invites us to compare and contrast these different expressions of nature's beauty. The graphic handling of light and shadow suggests Harding's exploration of the picturesque aesthetic. The use of line and tone to evoke the natural world invites reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature, and the interplay between wildness and serenity.