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Henry Reynolds SteerQuiet Afternoon by the Stream, Watercolor on Paper, Signed, 18811881
1881
$2,841.27
£2,122.65
€2,400
CA$3,956.33
A$4,250.86
CHF 2,280.58
MX$50,079.97
About the Item
Quiet Afternoon by the Stream from 1881 portrays a tranquil riverside moment in which two men clad in brown monastic robes engage in the simple pastime of fishing. One figure sits at the edge of the water, rod in hand, while the other stands beside him, observing with a gentle smile and leaning on a staff. The composition is filled with natural detail: tall grasses and wildflowers populate the foreground, birds are depicted in flight above, and a faint silhouette of distant buildings can be discerned on the horizon. The warm tones and sensitive handling of light evoke a late afternoon atmosphere, lending the scene a quiet, pastoral intimacy.
This carefully composed image carries both narrative and symbolic qualities. The fishing monks suggest a romanticised vision of monastic life, associated with contemplation, patience, and harmony with nature. Their brown robes, simple footwear, and minimal belongings indicate modesty and detachment from worldly affairs. The act of fishing itself, beyond its literal depiction, can be read as an emblem of spiritual attentiveness, as well as a reference to religious metaphors such as “fishers of men.” Such imagery would have appealed to Victorian sensibilities, which favoured nostalgic views of pre-industrial rural life, often tinged with gentle humour or sentimentality.
The structure of the painting guides the viewer through its narrative. The upright figure introduces a vertical element, counterbalanced by the horizontal reach of the seated man’s fishing rod and the flowing water. The artist uses the reflective surface of the river to lead the eye deeper into the scene. With finely controlled brushwork and transparent washes, the watercolour medium is used to full effect. The grasses and flora in the foreground are painted with a delicate attention to texture, while the sky and water maintain a soft luminosity. The overall composition is harmonious and immersive, encouraging the viewer to linger in the stillness of the moment.
The work is characteristic of late Victorian watercolour painting, which prized craftsmanship, subtle storytelling, and picturesque rural subjects. Henry Reynolds Steer produced this piece in the early phase of his career, having trained at Heatherley’s School of Fine Art in London. Like many British artists of the period, Steer found inspiration in scenes of humble everyday life set within idealised historical or monastic frameworks. His work aligns with the broader tradition of genre painting in the 19th century, where artists sought to convey moral reflection or emotional warmth through carefully staged vignettes. Monks and friars, often shown enjoying moments of quiet leisure, became recurring figures in such compositions.
While Steer’s painting avoids overt humour, it shares with his contemporaries an affection for the timeless qualities embodied by his subjects. The restrained palette and gentle execution reflect both technical skill and narrative sensitivity. Quiet Afternoon by the Stream represents not only a study in rural serenity, but also a cultural expression of Victorian ideals: reverence for simplicity, nostalgia for pre-modern life, and admiration for the virtues of patience and peaceful solitude. It is a finely observed and composed example of British watercolour genre painting at the close of the 19th century.
signed and dated lower left
watercolour on paper
unframed 45 × 29.5 cm (17.7 × 11.6 in)
framed 62 × 45.5 cm (24.4 × 17.9 in)
- Creator:Henry Reynolds Steer (1858 - 1928, British)
- Creation Year:1881
- Dimensions:Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)Width: 11.62 in (29.5 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Good overall condition. No notable damage or visible restoration.
- Gallery Location:Stockholm, SE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1445217473762
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