Tree with Fence

Richard wrote a short essay explaining how he was inspired to paint this picture in their Ilkley garden, having seen the Cotman picture of The Baggage Wagon (shown below). The solid parapet on the right was added in recognition of the bridge's compositional importance in the original painting. Richard recounts in his memoir that his painting was recognised as a turning point in his work by his tutor at Bradford and made it clear that he was to become an artist.