Lake Windermere, Lake District
Francis Towne, 1786
This atmospheric watercolour by Francis Towne shows a view across the head of Lake Windermere with the profiles of Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Langdale Pikes in the distance.
Towne trained as a coach painter and landscape artist in London before settling down in Exeter in the 1760s to work as a drawing master. After his death, he sank into obscurity but is now highly regarded for the fine watercolours he made on the spot in the Lake District and in Italy.
Lake Windermere is executed on Roman paper, which lends the work increased significance given that it is one of only 15 works that Towne made on paper that he brought back from Italy in 1781.
The watercolour now joins the Armitt Library and Museum in Ambleside, which holds an important collection of books and works of art relating to the Lake District, including drawings by Beatrix Potter and paintings by Kurt Schwitters, who both lived locally.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Lake Windermere, Lake District, 1786
Date supported
2021
Medium and material
Watercolour and pen and ink on paper
Dimensions
26.50 x 38cm
Grant
2600
Total cost
10400
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