Simpletons, The Sweet River

…by the famous artist Luke Filde

painting by the famous artist Sir Luke Filde

Believed to be the second painting by the English painter (Samuel) Luke Fildes (1844-1927), The Simpletons, depicts a pair of young lovers and their dog taking a boat ride on the “sweet river”, which might be the Thames, Severn, Tyne or Clyde River. The young couple appear quite taken with each other as the young man gazes adoringly at his lady and she casually dips her fingers into the sweet river. No ring adorns her finger but one wonders if one will be forthcoming.

I love the limited use of lily flowers and the charming bow on the little pug dog sitting on the bow of the boat on a blanket.