Waterfall (from Sketchbook) 1835 - 1839

This pencil drawing of a waterfall comes to us from the sketchbook of Francis William Edmonds. Water, in its ceaseless flow, has long been a powerful symbol across cultures. Consider its historical and mythological significance: the Greeks saw rivers as gods, life-giving and formidable. This motif has been used in art through the ages, from ancient Roman fountains to Renaissance depictions of baptism. The waterfall here, though simple, evokes this deep well of symbolism. The visual metaphor of the waterfall captures the relentless passage of time. It also invites contemplation on the mysteries of purification. Like the cyclical nature of water itself, these ideas resurface across generations. The enduring power of water in art speaks to our collective fascination with nature. It reflects humanity's place within the grand, flowing narrative of time itself.