Capturing the British Landscape

This book presents the life and work of the Victorian landscape painter AlfredAugustus Glendening (1840–1921). With beautiful illustrations of his pictures, showinga timeless countryside, it explores Glendening’s rapid rise from railway clerk toacclaimed artist.Whilst critics often reviewed his exhibited works, very little has been written aboutthe artist himself. Here, new and extensive research removes layers of mystery andmisinformation about his life, family and career, accurately placing him in the midst of the British art world during much of the nineteenth and into the twentieth century.Glendening was a man from humble origins, working fulltime as a railway clerk, yetwas able to make his London exhibition debut at the age of twenty. This would have beenalmost impossible before the Victorian era, an extraordinary period when social mobilitywas a real possibility. Although his paintings show a tranquil and unspoiled landscape,his environment was rapidly being transformed by social, scientific and industrialdevelopments, while advances in transport, photography and other technical discoveriesundoubtedly influenced him and his fellow painters.Celebrating his uniquely Victorian story, the book places Glendening within hishistorical context. Running alongside the main text is a timeline outlining significantlandmarks, from political and social events to artistic and technical innovations.Thoroughly researched over many years, the narrative explores why and for whom hepainted, his artistic training and inspirations. Painting at Hampton and Greenwich, besidethe River Thames, Glendening soon discovered the Welsh hills and became a member ofthe Bettws-y-Coed Artists’ Colony, founded by David Cox. His masterful landscapes alsoinclude views of the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, the Norfolk Broads, the SouthDowns and the Isle of Wight.The book uncovers new information about the Victorian art world and embracessuch aspects as Royal Academy prejudices, the popularity of Glendening’s work athome and abroad, especially Australia and America, his use of photography, and thesourcing of his art materials. Family trees are included, and other artistic family membersdiscussed, notably his son and pupil Alfred Illman Glendening (1861–1907). There isa comprehensive list of their exhibited works at the Royal Academy and other majorinstitutions, and details of their paintings in public collections.