The Magic of English School Art

English School is a redundant art movement that emerged, in part, out of opposition to Enclosure in the mid 18th Century.

The most famous artists included Gainsborough, Blake and Turner – but thousands more were involved, many of them women. 

Although rebellious as a cause, the effect was more perceptual: it championed the sensory encounter with nature. This sometimes magical experience was then shared as a story, translated into art, writing, and speech.

The English School championed access to nature for all classes, leading to land reform around mountains, moors, and coasts. The movement died out before it could reverse the loss of public access, fishing and navigation rights around England's inland waterways and woodlands.