Large Victorian British Signed Oil Rural Life House by Stream Many Figures

The Old Victorian House by Vivian Crome (British 1842-1926) signed & dated 1885 oil on canvas, framed Framed: 35.5 x 30.25 inches Canvas: 32 x 26 inches Provenance: private collection, England Condition: very good condition – small puncture hole bottom left shown in photos If ever there was a painting that encapsulated Victorian country life, this is it. The painting depicts a peaceful, rural scene set beside a gentle inlet stream, deep in the countryside. A rustic stone cottage, showing signs of age with its ivy-covered walls and weathered roof, sits as the central focus of the image. An old staircase leads upstairs, where a woman stands at the doorway. Another woman, seated at the lower door, appears to be engaged in some household task, adding a sense of everyday life to the scene. In the foreground, a wooden rowboat is moored to the bank, its shadow reflecting in the still water. To the right, a man in a relaxed posture, possibly a farm worker, sits on a grassy hill near the shore, with a small dog curled up beside him. He seems contemplative, perhaps resting after a long day’s work. A young child, possibly his, stands near the cottage, gazing towards the house. The landscape surrounding the house is lush and inviting, with large trees on the right side of the painting. The distant rolling hills are green and peaceful, adding to the idyllic atmosphere of rural life. A further highlight of the painting is the dovecote, built into the roof of the house. The painting captures a moment of serene, everyday existence, with figures going about their routines in harmony with nature. The detailed brushwork and use of light, especially in the clear sky and reflections in the water, lend a warm and tranquil mood to the composition. It is a classic example of 19th-century genre painting, celebrating the simplicity and beauty of country life.