Making Hay on the Thames

Thames barges carrying stacked hay were once a common site on the Thames, transporting hay from the farms of Suffolk, Essex and Kent to London, where it was required for the capital's thousands of horses. Atmospherically captured in this wonderful watercolour by marine painter Edward Duncan RWS (1803–1882), who specialised in painting in transparent colour. Duncan eschewed the vogue for painting with bodycolour, working with a delicacy and fluidity that recalled the earlier traditions of British watercolour.