Lake District - Uk / Dated 1861 / Aaron E. Penley (1807-1870) / Watercolor

A superb watercolour by Aaron Edwin Penley (1807-1870) – Lake District Landscape. This watercolour by Aaron Edwin Penley, one of the great English masters of watercolour, subtly captures the beauty of the Lake District, an iconic location that inspired many 19th century Romantic artists. The landscape combines misty mountains, winding waterways and a dramatic sky. Two female figures add a narrative touch: in the foreground, a woman carrying a jug crosses a rustic bridge, while in the background, another carries a load using a bucket carrier. Penley's technical mastery is evident in the precise details, subtle play of light and fluidity of textures, fully illustrating his talent for this demanding technique.

20 x 48 unframed
35 x 63 with frame (wooden gilt rod and fabric mary-louise).
signed and dated 1861 lower right
numbered 213 lower left

Aaron Edwin Penley (20 May 1806 – 15 January 1870) was a renowned English watercolourist of the 19th century. Born in Rye, Sussex, he began his artistic career by first exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1835, mainly portraits. Over time he turned more to landscape painting, in which field he gained notable recognition. In 1838 Penley was elected a member of the New Water Colour Society (now the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours). However, in 1856 he resigned due to a dispute over the hanging of his works, before being reinstated at his request in 1859. He held prestigious positions, including Painter in Ordinary Water Colour to King William IV and Queen Adelaide. In 1840 he painted a miniature of Queen Victoria and taught painting to Prince Arthur, one of the Queen's sons. He was also professor of drawing at Cheltenham College from 1846 to 1849, then at Addiscombe Military Seminary from 1851 until its closure, and finally at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich until his death. Penley published several works on watercolour painting, sharing his expertise and techniques. His publications include Elements of Perspective (1851), English School of Painting in Water Colours (1861), Sketching from Nature in Water Colours (1869) and A System of Water Colour Painting. He died in Lewisham on 15 January 1870, leaving behind a significant artistic legacy in English watercolour painting.