Rowing on the Tiber, Rome

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Love the view point and all the architecture. You've caught a wonderful reflection and the water colour is stunning.

Thanks, Lesley. I'm glad you like it. I actually re-painted the water; it was originally much bluer, which was just not right for the Tiber, which is a dirty green for much of the year!

Crikey, Richard, I'd no idea you had produced so many superb paintings, until I discovered you on this website just now. See you at the GSAS next year.

Thanks, Barrie. I really appreciate your kind comments. Look forward to seeing you at GSAS. I'll also be at Art in the Gardens this year in August/Sept.

In 1976, whilst a student at Cambridge University, I was fortunate enough to be selected to compete in the Oxford and Cambridge varsity Boat Race on the Thames in London. In the 1990s the alumni of both universities, most of whom were in the 40s and 50s started competing against each other as 'veterans' (now called 'masters') and every year participated in a 3-way regatta with Aniene Rowing Club in Rome (many members being ex-Olympic oarsmen). The location of these regattas rotated from Rome -Cambridge - Rome - Oxford, etc. These were very popular events and I participated in them several times in the late 1990s early 2000s. This painting is a depiction of a race on the Tiber River in Rome between Cambridge (light blues) and Oxford (dark blues) veterans over a 600 metre course leading down to just east of the Ponte Sant' Angelo, seen here with the Vatican City in the background from the Ponte Umberto 1. I remember that it was a frantic sprint lasting 1minute 35 seconds, with both crews rowing at a high rating. The crews were neck-and-neck all the way but unfortunately (for me) Oxford won by just one metre!