Lively English Pastoral Landscape At The Ford, Constable Circle, Circa 1830

Lively Pastoral Landscape at a Ford,
English School, Circle of John Constable, Close to Henry Bright (1810–1873),
Circa 1830–1845,
Oil on canvas,

Dimensions: 30 × 38 cm (sight size), 57 × 66 cm (framed).

This composition is firmly rooted in the grand tradition of English Romantic landscape painting from the first third of the 19th century. The scene, constructed along a dynamic diagonal that leads the eye towards a luminous horizon, depicts a ford bustling with rural figures, including a rider dressed in red, while a flock of sheep accompanies the movement into the distance. The cottage, partially hidden within the wooded area, and the large, vertical tree structuring the space, reflect a sophisticated understanding of balance and pictorial rhythm.
The work demonstrates an atmospheric sensibility inherited from John Constable: a low horizon opening onto the sky, subtle modulation of the clouds, and attentive observation of rural life. The treatment of brown and green tones, the softness of the light, and the narrative finesse of the small figures also link this painting to the work of Henry Bright in the years 1830–1845, a period during which a pastoral landscape, both sensitive and decorative, developed for a cultivated clientele.

The work is in good overall condition, with fine age craquelure and discreet old restorations under varnish. The 19th-century molded and giltwood frame, decorated with fluting and stylized foliage, enhances the overall decorative presence while respecting its Romantic character. The signature “L. Br…” is partially legible.

An atmospheric and balanced painting, representative of the English landscape in the tradition of Constable, it is both a sophisticated and appealing work, ideal for a Romantic-oriented collection or for an interior seeking the depth and gentleness of the old landscape.