Bastion du Mat, from the central bastion (1855)

This page presents "Bastion du Mat, from the central bastion" (1855), created by William Simpson. Historical background, 1855: 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. The invention of lithography around 1796 and its spread in these decades made printed images cheaper and more varied. It is listed in the Landscape collection. The image is in landscape orientation. Landscape in brief: The invention of paint in tubes in the 1840s made it easier to work outdoors, and landscape became a main subject of Romanticism, Realism, and Impressionism. Painters have used landscape to study light, weather, season, and the relation between people and place.

"Bastion du Mat, from the central bastion" is shown in the onlly.art catalogue for reference and browsing. 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. Browsing works by the same artist, or from the same period, is a good way to compare styles before choosing what suits your space.

Scottish, 1823–1899

If you like the visual language of William Simpson, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.