Paradise Valley, Middletown, Rhode Island

1881

In the 1870s William Trost Richards moved to the Newport area where he became well known for his coastal scenes, painted with an increasingly broad brush. In many of his works, however, including this spectacular scene of Paradise Valley, one still sees the traces of his earlier, Pre-Raphaelite concern with closely observed natural details. Originally from Pennsylvania, Richards had studied draughtsmanship with German artist Paul Weber and toured Europe in 1855-56. Watercolor became an important medium for Richards. He joined with others in the American Watercolor Society to elevate the status of watercolors in the United States. Richards began to produce works in watercolor on a scale with oil paintings, with a heavy gouache to lend an effect of oil. In Paradise Valley and other works, Richards worked on dark, heavy fibrous paper, the kind used to line carpets that approximated the textural qualities of canvas.

Middletown, RI

Watercolor and gouache on wove paper

frame: 33 in x 47 in; image: 24 in x 38 in

Purchase made possible through gifts by many donors, the efforts of William and Allison Vareika and the descendants of the artist

2002.003.001