Okehampton, Devon

John Ruskin 1819 - 1900

Summary

Detailed landscape scene. From the centre of the composition rises a steep and prominent mound covered with dense woodland; the summit emerges above the trees, surmounted by ruins; in the background is a mountain range. In the centre foreground is the figure of a huntsman, crouching behind a rock, taking aim with his rifle and shooting at rabbits; a rabbit lies dead in the centre foregound. The surrounding vegetation is executed in great detail. Behind the figure, the landscape slopes downhill; at the point the hill falls away out of sight, stand a herd of cattle. After the Turner watercolour 'Okehampton' formerly in Ruskin's collection and now at Melbourne.