John Berney Crome, Wayfarers At The Smithy, Hingham, Norfolk

John Berney Crome, Wayfarers At The Smithy, Hingham, NorfolkThis atmospheric early 19th century landscape by British artist John Berney Crome (1794 1842) depicts a quiet moment at dusk on the outskirts of Hingham, Norfolk. A small group of travellers pause beside a glowing smithy, their horses resting as the last light of day recedes. The forges warm orange light spills gently into the surrounding darkness, answering the cool blues and greens of the evening sky. The moon hangs low, its pale reflection caught

It’s interesting to see the inclusion of a scruffy partially peeled onion as this could be a subtle nod to vanitas paintings

his quiet nirvana

while two fishermen drag heavy nets on umber soil

Little is known about Henning’s daily lifestyle aside from the fact he was appointed as mayor of Dorchester and worked as a magistrate

This late 19th-century oil on canvas by Danish artist Edvard Petersen (1841-1911) depicts a backlit wooded view with wandering cattle

He evidently worked predominantly outside

Agnes - returning to paint this noble environment on numerous occasions

who soon became my good friend

Quite an adventure for a 17-year-old

it’s inspired by the classical visions of Claude Lorrain

such as a Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist

which established him firmly in the minds of collectors and dealers alike