A Tour of the English Lakes
G2. Rydal Water
Gray's Journal Entry: ‘Rydal-Mere [Rydal Water] is least in extent of any of the lakes in this set. It is about two miles from Ambleside, and is formed by the stream of Rothay, in its course from Grasmere to Winandermere [Windermere]. The view given here has the appearance of an amphitheatre. The wild and desert air of the mountains, which arise immediately from its margin, exhibit a striking contrast to the luxuriance and cultivation of the vale of Grasmere. The variety of character assumed by the several lakes affords no small source of entertainment to the admirer of picturesque beauty. The richness of the culivated vale, and the savage aspect of the rocks, with the infinite variety of combinations they admit of, present him with the beautiful and sublime through all their possible gradations. He will remark too with pleasure, that this country, so far from having suffered by the hand of art, derives considerable advantage from accidental circumstances. That the white or grey-stone cottages, with ash-coloured slating, are scattered over the face of the country, enlivening the landscape, without affecting its simplicity; and that even the dark hue of the fir tree, which is frequently planted near them, is beautifully contrasted with the brilliancy of the silver rock.’
Farington's Art
Rydal Water c1800
Rydal Water c1800
Watercolor and Engraving: View south across Rydal Water. The figures and sheep are painted on a separate piece of paper attached to the painting. There is a sepia sketch of this view but with horsemen instad of sheep and there is an engraving of this variant in the 1816 volume but with two figures instead of the horsemen.
Pixel View
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Location Hint: This view is from the north end of the lake looking south and Farington’s viewpoint must have been high up, above the old turnpike. In the painting you can see the sheep on the road quite some way below. If you climb up into Lady Wood, you will get fragments of Farington’s view in between the trees, but John Murray went for the lakeside vantage point shown on the map.
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