The Valley of the Tyne, My Native Country near Henshaw

Panoramic landscapes in watercolor became an important source of income during John Martin’s late career. This work demonstrates his ability to convey monumentality on a small scale and to combine broad washes of color with meticulous detail. The sweeping vista in this drawing describes the fertile valley of the River Tyne, known for its forests, flora, and fauna. Curving arcs of slopes and plains swirl around the composition. A tiny couple and dog rush through the vast landscape beneath ominous storm clouds.