Pictures of the Month | May 2010
Picture of the Month
May 2010
The River Dart, 1866
John Brett (1831-1902)
On Loan from the Andrew Brownsword Arts Foundation
John Brett, best known for his early Pre-Raphaelite paintings and his late seascapes, is the focus of the current exhibition at the Barber Institute, Objects of Affection and of May’s Picture of the Month.
The River Dart shows the view over the river from a hillside vantage point. Dominated by the blossom-filled trees in the foreground, we can see the fields of the opposite bank with the river between. A boat on the river is the only sign of human activity within this otherwise uninhabited view. However, this was not always the case. Brett originally placed a young woman in the scene, sitting in the shade of the large tree in the foreground, though she was painted over before the picture was completed. The composition employs a palette of fresh and vibrant tones, creating a bright spring day swathed in sunshine.
Geographically, Brett’s view is a little west of Dittisham, on the west side of the river, where he was staying in the summer of 1866 with his brother Edwin and an attractive girl with dark eyes, thought to be the model for the overpainted woman. Brett had recently spent several months on his yacht, the Baby, which he acquired the previous year. After sailing around the coast of the Isle of Wight making sketches, he carried his journey on to Devon, where this scene was painted. In fact, we can see an idealised portrait of the Baby near the riverbank.
The highly detailed landscape, depicting a sunny late spring day, highlights Brett’s study of the Pre-Raphaelites and his artistic practice of painting on the spot. He worked over a white ground to enhance the luminosity of his colours, a technique often employed by the Pre-Raphaelites.
The River Dart was exhibited in Manchester where it was purchased by Alfred Morrison, an immensely rich collector who shared the artist’s interest in boats and the sea. He was, according to his obituary, a man of ‘fastidious taste’ and was an enthusiastic collector of Brett’s work, buying many of his major pieces between 1864 and 1870. Morrison’s portrait can be seen in the exhibition (no. 33), as can other works he collected, including Lady with a Dove (no.3).
The River Dart is currently on display in the Beige Gallery as part of the Objects of Affection exhibition. It will be the focus of a free Lunchtime Gallery Talk by Greg Smith on Thursday 13th May.
Laura Pitcher, Acting Curatorial Assistant
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