Artwork Page for Bolton Abbey

Details / Information for Bolton Abbey

Bolton Abbey

c. late 1840s-1857

David Cox

(British, 1783–1859)
Culture
England, 19th century
Medium
watercolor with black chalk
Support
Textured, thick brown wove paper (Scotch wrapping paper)
Measurements
Sheet: 48.8 x 75.4 cm (19 3/16 x 29 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of James Parmelee 1940.552
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The neighborhood where Bolton Abbey was found was one of David Cox's favorite places to paint and the church appeared as a subject throughout his works from about 1828 through 1857.

Description

This moody, broadly painted watercolor on rough, brown paper is emblematic of David Cox’s late style. Velvety grays and greens throughout the composition shift almost imperceptibly and streaks of blue wash, describing the distant hills and sky, are pierced by a sliver of brilliant yellow at the horizon. The ruined 12th-century priory is relegated to the background, nearly lost in the twilight.
A horizontally oriented watercolor and black chalk drawing depicts a landscape with a steep tan slope on the right and a red-brown building with arched windows rising from dark trees. In the lower left, two people with light skin occupy a path; one stands wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Muted blue mountains recede beneath a cloudy sky. Earthy browns dominate the foreground, contrasting with the soft blues of the distant peaks.

Bolton Abbey

c. late 1840s-1857

David Cox

(British, 1783–1859)
England, 19th century

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