The Rainbow

John Glover

1794 · Watercolor over graphite · Drawings and Prints

Glover recorded the effects of a passing evening storm in the year he moved to Lichfield, Staffordshire, to work as a drawing master. In the foreground, the subtle greenish blue tonalities of trees bordering a meandering stream are executed with delicate, softly brushed watercolor strokes. Warmer tones are introduced in the background, where breaking light bathes distant hilltop ruins and produces the rainbow overhead. This drawing predates Glover's 1795 debut at the Royal Academy and the resulting rapid growth of his reputation. In 1804, he was made a founding member of the Society of Painters in Water-colours, and he established himself in London the following year.

Artist

John Glover

Date

1794

Medium

Watercolor over graphite

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Purchase, Susan H. Seidel Gift, 2002