Victorian Cottages

From the Dust Jacket:

VICTORIAN COTTAGES

'Welcome sequel to the highly-acclaimed Victorian Flower Gardens."

Country life was idealized by the Victorians into an exquisite rural idyll far away from the smoke and grime of the growing cities. Artists of the late nineteenth century sought to perpetuate this nostalgic vision and their work found its greatest expression in images of cottages and cottage life. Cerulean skies, thatched roofs, flower gardens and carefree children playing beside the cottage gate epitomize this delightful genre. The watercolours of Helen Allingham, Myles Birket Foster and Charles Wilson, to name but a few of the leading exponents, are unashamedly romantic, but they also offer a fascinating record of rural England. Drawing on accounts by writers of the day, such as Flora Thompson and Thomas Hardy, Andrew Clayton-Payne describes the cottages themselves, how they were built and organized internally, and the farming and domestic traditions which determined the cottagers' lives. Harvesting, cider-making and wash day are a few of the activities he describes, as well as some more unusual customs associated with the 'cottage pig' and beehives. By contrasting the reality with the ideal he finds that the images he has chosen reveal more of the truth than a casual glance conveys. With 130 entrancing watercolours illustrated in full colour, this exquisite book will appeal to anyone who is interested in Victorian painting, or who simply enjoys the English countryside.