Artwork Description

Title:The Brocas Vlump, Eton, with Windsor Castle

Artist
George Frederick Prosser

Date
1863

Medium:
Pencil and watercolor on paper

Dimensions
9.3 x 13.4 in (23.5 x 34 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
This finely rendered watercolor by George Frederick Prosser, Title:d The Brocas Vlump, Eton, with Windsor Castle (1863), captures a tranquil riverside scene along the Thames, with figures leisurely engaged in boating and fishing. The composition is framed by dense foliage to the left and detailed natural growth in the foreground, while Windsor Castle rises in the hazy distance, lending a regal air to the landscape. Executed in pencil and watercolor on paper, the work reflects a masterful balance of topographical precision and atmospheric light. It is presented in a decorative gilt frame with matting. A few faint spots of foxing and a slight yellowing on the right side of the sky are visible, consistent with the age of the work and do not affect its overall integrity. Otherwise in very good condition.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Prosser’s style lies firmly within the English topographical tradition of the 19th century, merging architectural documentation with bucolic landscape. His use of watercolor to capture the nuances of light and weather speaks to the influence of contemporaries such as David Cox and Samuel Palmer, while his delicate draughtsmanship reveals an eye for both natural and man-made detail. This work, in particular, resonates with the romanticism of rural and historic England, rendered with both affection and accuracy.

3. Historical Context
Active during the Victorian period, George Frederick Prosser was known for his topographical works, especially views of southern England. The area depicted here—Eton and Windsor Castle—held cultural significance as a symbol of continuity and aristocratic heritage. Painted in 1863, at a time when England was undergoing rapid industrialization, this work stands as part of a larger artistic response to preserve and celebrate the idyllic pastoral identity of the British countryside. Prosser’s landscapes served both as works of art and as valuable historical records of architecture and geography.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The painting is in very good condition with only minor age-related issues. There is some light foxing in the upper sky area and a small zone of yellowing at the right edge of the sky, both of which are typical of 19th-century watercolors. The paper remains stable, and the colors are well-preserved. Framed under protective glass in a classic giltwood frame with archival matting.

6. Artistic Significance
George Frederick Prosser contributed meaningfully to the English tradition of topographical art. His works provide a valuable visual archive of 19th-century landscapes and heritage sites. This particular painting, combining a genteel riverside atmosphere with the enduring presence of Windsor Castle, exemplifies his ability to harmonize documentary purpose with pictorial elegance. It remains a testament to both Prosser’s technical skill and the Victorian fascination with place, memory, and national identity.