Description
A vibrant collection of paintings and drawings of the landscape and wildlife of the Thames, following the river as it flows from the rural countryside of Gloucestershire, meandering past fields, villages and towns, through the heart of metropolitan London and to the sea.
After his previous book on the River Derwent, Riverside Journey, Ashley Bryant took up the challenge of painting the Thames, the most famous and fascinating river in England. The book covers the story of the whole river, from beginning to end, providing an artist’s view of the most interesting places it passes, giving a great view and insight into the life of the river.
The paintings reflect the beauty of the river itself, of the natural landscape through which it passes, and many of the architectural gems – palaces, Oxford colleges, churches, as well as bridges and humble cottages – that have been raised alongside it.
The Thames is an ideal companion for anyone walking beside the river, boating on it, or simply interested in the wildlife and the countryside that surrounds the Thames. As such it will appeal to those who live near the Thames, as well as to visitors.
About the Author
Ashley Bryant is a well-known landscape painter, whose paintings and prints are distributed worldwide, and has exhibited as far afield as Japan. His home in Essex is also an art centre, where he and his wife have offered painting courses for adults. His earlier book Riverside Journey, following the Derwent, was published in 2001.
Contents
Introduction
The Source to Oxford
The Source. Kemble. Ashton Keynes. Cricklade. Castle Eaton. Inglesham. Lechlade. Buscot. Kelmscott. Radcot. Newbridge. Swinford. Wytham Woods. Godstow. Oxford.
Oxford to Reading
Otters. Nuneham Courtney. Abingdon. Sutton Courtney. Clifton Hampden. Little Wittenham. Shillingford. Wallingford. Goring / Streatley. Goring Gap. Whitchurch. Pangbourne. Mapledurham. Reading.
Reading to Hampton Court
Sonning. Shiplake. Henley. Henley Regatta. Hambledon Mill. Hurley / Bisham. Marlow. Cliveden. Ray Mill Island. Maindenhead. Windsor. Eton. Runnymead. Staines. Chertsey. Walton-on-Thames. Swan Upping. Hampton Court.
Hampton Court to Central London
Kingston-upon-Thames. Richmond. Isleworth. Kew. Strand on the Green. Hammersmith. Chelsea. Battersea. Lambeth. Westminster. Victoria Embankment. South Bank.
Central London to the Sea
The City. Tower of London. Tower Bridge. Rotherhithe. Isle of Dogs / Canary Wharf. Greenwich. Thames Barrier. Rainham. Gravesend. Tilbury. Cliffe. Canvey Island. Hadleigh. Leigh-on-Sea. Isle of Grain. Southend. Shoeburyness.
Endorsements and Reviews
This is an attractive and colourful collection of oils, watercolours and other paintings and drawings of the landscape and wildlife of the Thames.
Thames Guardian, The Journal of River Thames Society
A reminder of how the water seen from Bankside comes from tributaries in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. This book should makes us look at the river again with a new understanding.
London SE1
