 |
|
|
|
Following John's departure from office in 1878, the Langtons
chose to retire to Toronto.
Dissatisfied with her attempt to depict Niagara, on first viewing
it in 1837 - "my presumptuous representation," she
called it - Langton went on to produce more successful later
versions. Here, she accomplishes a highly skilful rendering.
This pair of later Niagara views by Langton forms an interesting
contrast to the earlier sketches that she executed in 1837 and
in the 1850s.
|
| |
|
|
Billings Bridge, August 10, 1877
Anne Langton
Monochromatic watercolour
16.7 cm x 25.0 cm (6½" x 10")
Reference Code: F 1077-9-1-1
Archives of Ontario, I0008421 |
Billings Bridge, at Alta Vista (Ottawa),
was the first bridge erected to cross the Rideau River. It was
named for the Braddish Billings family, early settlers and lumber
traders in the Ottawa region. Their former home (1828), is now
the Billings Estate Museum.
This image shows another late development in Langton's work,
perhaps influenced by her recent viewing, in England, of highly-detailed
paintings by Pre-Raphaelite and Realist painters. Her intense
interpretation makes use of negative space, reserved paper ground
and some scratching out for maximum effect. |
|
Anne sketches a summertime description of the
East elevation of University College, undoubtedly recalling John's
earlier connection as Vice-Chancellor - now renewed, as his older
sons study there.
Urged by nieces and nephews, Anne Langton begins a retirement
project: writing a family memoir, The Story of Our Family,
which was privately (and secretly) printed by her nieces and nephews
in England. It is another source of valuable information about
her life and work in the contexts of her Old and New Worlds. |
|
|
|
One of Langton's last images shows her deft use
of materials. There is little evidence of preliminary underdrawing.
Not long after her "late" outdoor rambles ended, she
began to paint at home, on china, and a few of these items have
survived. Most of her hand-decorated porcelain pieces were given
to family and friends, or as donations to church bazaars. She
also resumed an earlier pastime: "fancy work," (embroidery),
none of which has come to light.
|
|
|
|
|