This month we feature a majestic oil painting entitled "Dungeon Ghyll" by James Henry Crossland, who was known for his landscape paintings of the Lake District, Wales and Scotland.
This month we feature a large painting entitled Dungeon Ghyll by the artist James Henry Crossland (1852 – 1939). This painting in oils measures 152 cm high and 121 cm wide. It was probably painted early in the 20th century.
About the Painting
The subject of this painting is Dungeon Ghyll, a spectacular ravine in the Lake District. The dark, brooding atmosphere that the artist has chosen to portray plays to the Victorian taste for romanticised landscapes. Contrasting with the darker foreground of the painting, a shaft of light is clearly visible, with a well-worn path leading to it. Perhaps this has some religious or spiritual significance in that there is an uphill path leading to the light.
It is likely that the painting was executed early in the 20th century, when this style of artwork was starting to become less fashionable, with the advent of the modernist and impressionist art movements. A heavy Victorian style would perhaps have represented outmoded values of the 19th century, which were to be swept away after the First World War. This style of art continues to be relatively unpopular although the quality of this painting and the competence of the artist can still be appreciated.
It is noted that in the catalogue for the 1911 Summer Exhibition of the Royal Academy, the following entry is listed, “Dungeon Ghyll, Great Langdale, Westmorland – James H. Crossland’. It is very likely that this is a reference to the painting featured in this article.
About the Artist
James Henry Crossland was born in Wakefield in 1852. His father Thomas was a vicar. After marrying in 1874, he moved to the Lake District. The 1891 census records him as living in Applethwaite in Windermere with his wife and five children. He was listed as “Artist – landscape painter in oils”.
He was known for painting landscapes featuring scenes in the Lake District, Wales and Scotland. He exhibited work at the Royal Academy in 1911 and 1913 and he was a member of the Lake Artists’ Society.
He continued to live in the Lake District until his death in 1939. His obituary described him as follows:
LAKELAND ARTIST
After 17 years of blindness, Mr James Henry Crossland last of the old school of Lakeland artists, died at his home at Ambleside on Sunday. He was 87. When he lost his sight, Mr Crossland took up woodwork. Formerly he used to sail his own yacht on Lake Windermere and would set up his easel while afloat to portray Lake District scenery in oils. He had exhibited at the Royal Academy and was one of the leading officers of the Lake Artists’ Society.
Dungeon Ghyll is one of three paintings by James Henry Crossland in the University’s fine art collection. You can see images of both paintings and other works by James Henry Crossland held in other UK public art collections on the Art UK website here.
University of Exeter
Room 153, Queen's Building
The Queen's Drive
Exeter EX4 4QH
