🌄 British Landscape Masterpiece: Edward Horace Thompson, Thirlmere & Helvellyn c.1925
🌄 British Landscape Masterpiece: Edward Horace Thompson, Thirlmere & Helvellyn, c.1925
🖌 Subject & Medium
This exquisite artwork captures a breathtaking Lake District landscape view in Cumbria, showcasing the serene Thirlmere reservoir and the majestic Helvellyn mountain. Executed in watercolour on paper, this piece is beautifully preserved under a front glass cover, maintaining its delicate tones and fine brushwork. Dated c. 1925, it represents the timeless beauty of Britain’s natural landscapes.
🎨 Composition & Technique
Edward Horace Thompson’s exceptional perspective invites the viewer deep into the scene. The painting balances light and dark (chiaroscuro) with shimmering white reflections on the lake’s surface set against darker water passages. In the foreground, vibrant green grasses, rich purple heather, and a tall, lone tree on a slope guide the eye, while gently rolling hills and mist-covered mountains rise behind. A golden light graces the mountain’s left flank, and the dynamic sky features overcast clouds with brilliant blue patches breaking through. The artist’s thoughtful palette — greens, browns, purples, whites, greys, and blues — creates a vivid, engaging composition.
✍️ Signed
The piece is signed in the corner by Edward Horace Thompson, a well-listed and recognized British artist, ensuring its authenticity and value as a collectible work.
👤 About the Artist
Edward Horace Thompson (1879–1949) stands among Cumbria’s finest landscape painters. Born in Seaton, Cumbria, Thompson worked by day in a local factory office, but his true passion was painting the stunning landscapes of his homeland. He eventually opened a studio in Cockermouth, and his evocative watercolours now reside in private collections worldwide. Thompson’s works have been showcased at Gladstone & Patterson and prominent auction houses, achieving sale prices up to $4,605 USD, underscoring his lasting artistic importance.
🌍 About Thirlmere & Helvellyn
To appreciate this scene fully, consider the significance of Thirlmere and Helvellyn (see reference link):
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Helvellyn is the third-highest peak in England and the Lake District, renowned for dramatic ridges like Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, and famously beloved by poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge.
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Thirlmere was once a natural lake, later transformed in the 19th century into a reservoir supplying Manchester, surrounded by fells such as Armboth Fell and Raven Crag, offering breathtaking views of the lake and Helvellyn.
For centuries, this region has attracted walkers, explorers, and artists — placing Thompson’s painting within a rich tradition of celebrating its natural beauty.
🖼 Frame Details
The artwork is tastefully set in a later gilt frame, adding a timeless, classic touch that beautifully complements the painting. It comes with a hanging thread on the back, ready for immediate display.
📏 Dimensions Framed
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Width: 41.5 cm
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Height: 36.5 cm
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Depth (thickness): 1.5 cm
An ideal size for adding charm to your home, office, or gallery wall.
📜 Provenance
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From a private collection
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Acquired from a notable northern auction house
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Offered by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
💖 Why You’ll Love It
✅ Stunning, collectible British landscape
✅ Signed by a respected, listed artist
✅ Ready to hang and enjoy immediately
✅ Rich in historical and natural significance
✅ A striking conversation piece for your guests
✅ Carefully curated and offered with professional, friendly service
🔍 Condition
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Painting surface: Good overall condition
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Outer mount: Some foxing and staining present
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Frame: General wear, scuffs, small chips, and age-related losses
🌍 Worldwide Shipping Available
Professionally packaged and fully insured for safe international delivery.
🖼️ Available exclusively through Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
📩 Inquire now to secure this unique piece