Richmond 9 - 1832

Clarkson Stanfield created “Richmond” with pen and brown ink over graphite on blue laid paper, sometime in the 19th century. Stanfield emerged from a working-class background in the maritime industry, an identity profoundly shaped by his experiences at sea. Here we see the bridge over the river, rendered with loose pen strokes. On the far bank, a collection of buildings rises up a hill, crowned with what appears to be a castle. Stanfield transforms this scene into something evocative, with the stark contrast of the brown ink on blue paper creating a vivid emotional landscape. This choice may echo broader concerns about England’s rapidly changing landscape. The artist invites us to consider what it means to witness and represent a world in transition. In its rendering of Richmond, we may find an emotional connection to the legacies of industrial change.