Described as one of the founding artists of English post-Impressionism, William Ratcliffe approached his compositions with an eye toward luminescent color and uncluttered representation. He often favored depictions of countryside landscapes and structures, and spring color palettes.
Here, a brief and sweet drawing for a friend becomes an inviting window onto countryside life in Hammersmith. Ratcliffe’s depiction of a narrow curving street in Hammersmith, England and the pub known variously as “The Dove” and “The Doves,” depending on the era (it was officially changed to “The Dove” in 1959) makes for a time capsule of a mood and a way of thinking about one’s immediate surroundings. Even in this small space, Ratcliffe has carefully chosen his colors to represent every angle of light and shadow with a bright, welcoming hue.
The sign continued to read "Doves" after 1867 but was referred to as "The Dove". In 1949 George Izzard reverted the name to "The Dove" though a photograph in 1959 showed a signboard that advertised "The Doves"
From the collection of Danish critic and author Georg Bröchner, who wrote for the British art magazine "The Studio" in the early 20th century.