George Fennel Robson (1788-1833) - Esthwaite Water, Lake District

This highly detailed watercolour of Esthwaite Water in the Lake District was painted by Robson around 1830. It is typical of the exhibition watercolours he sent to the Society of Painters in Water-colours, of which this is most likely one. He first exhibited a scene from the Lake District in 1816 and continually returned to this picturesque part of England for inspiration. Esthwaite Water is one of the smaller Lakes and is situated between Windermere and Coniston Water. It was Beatrix Potter's favourite Lake and was thought to have inspired the character Jeremy Fisher. The Lake was also mentioned in various Wordsworth poems with the most famous being 'The vale of Esthwaite' from 1787. Today the Lake is privately owned and is renowned for its trout and pike fishing. Robson was a regular visitor to the Chalon Sketching Society (1808-1851) from around 1828 and was made an Honorary Member in 1832. He struggled with his eyesight under evening light and became known as the 'Inspector' as he very rarely sketched. Instead he provided his witty insights and critiques to the artists’ works becoming an integral part of the group until his untimely death in 1833.
 
Medium: watercolour on paper. 33 x 48.5 cm, framed.
 
Condition report: excellent condition, a few small foxing marks in the sky which are not that obvious.