The Orchard
This painting by Aumonier shows the idealised view of the country which was so very popular with Victorian art lovers.
Aumonier was born in Camberwell in London and sent out to work at the age of 14, initially as a textile designer. He self- funded his way through evening art classes and became a successful artist, exhibiting at the Royal Academy from 1870. He became an Associate of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water-colours in 1876 and was one of the original members of the Institute of Oil Painters. In 1889 he was awarded a gold medal for water-colour in Paris, and a bronze medal for oil painting at Adelaide. He also received a silver medal at the Brussels exhibition in 1897.