First Snow on Broughton Moor is a large landscape oil painting on canvas, and is one of three paintings in the University’s Fine Art Collection by the artist James Henry Crossland (1852-1939).

About the painting

The subject of the painting, Broughton Moor, is situated in an isolated spot in the Lake District between Broughton-in-Furness and Coniston.

These days, it is known for its slate quarry, which opened in the mid 19th century. The quarry must have been present at the time was painted (probably around the end of the 19th century). However, the artist has decided to portray a romantic scene of wild, untouched moor.

In the foreground of the picture the viewer can see heather, a moorland stream and cattle grazing. The heather is in bloom which indicates that the season is actually early autumn. However, snow is already present at a higher altitude, signalling the first indication of the winter to come. The eye is drawn to the snow-covered mountain, which is sunlit, perhaps through a break in the clouds. It feels as if the snow is ready to make an entrance and it casts the foreground into the shadows.

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 of 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:

First Snow on Broughton Moor is one of three paintings by James Henry Crossland in the University’s fine art collection. You can see images of these paintings and other works by James Henry Crossland held in other UK public art collections on the Art UK website here.