Action at Kowloon (1839)

Lt. Joseph Sparkhall Rundle is the artist behind "Action at Kowloon", dated 1839. The catalogue places it in Landscape. The format is landscape. Landscape, a short history: Landscape became an independent genre in European painting in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, while in East Asia it had long been central to ink painting. Painters have used landscape to study light, weather, season, and the relation between people and place. About the period around 1839: The invention of lithography around 1796 and its spread in these decades made printed images cheaper and more varied. Landscape gained new prestige through groups such as the Barbizon painters in France and the Hudson River School in the United States, and by mid-century Realism turned to ordinary people and everyday labour.

On onlly.art "Action at Kowloon" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Landscape scenes add depth and a sense of air to the room, helping the space feel more open and working especially well above a sofa, console, or desk. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour.

English, 1815–1880

If you like the visual language of Lt. Joseph Sparkhall Rundle, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.