The image shows a pastoral scene with a slightly elevated point of view. The horizon is positioned high, allowing for an expansive view of the rolling fields and clusters of trees. A line of trees is in the distance, creating a natural boundary for the scene. The artist employs fine and delicate etching lines that convey texture and detail in the foliage and landscape features. A group of sheep are depicted grazing on the slope close to us. The color palette is monochromatic, emphasizing contrast and detail rather than color variation, highlighting the intricacy of the etched lines.
Read the visual description

The image shows a pastoral scene with a slightly elevated point of view. The horizon is positioned high, allowing for an expansive view of the rolling fields and clusters of trees. A line of trees is in the distance, creating a natural boundary for the scene. The artist employs fine and delicate etching lines that convey texture and detail in the foliage and landscape features. A group of sheep are depicted grazing on the slope close to us. The color palette is monochromatic, emphasizing contrast and detail rather than color variation, highlighting the intricacy of the etched lines.

National Gallery of Art · Print

A Fallow Field

James David Smillie

Date
1883
Medium
etching in black on wove paper
Dimensions
plate: 14.7 x 30 cm (5 13/16 x 11 13/16 in.) sheet: 26.8 x 39 cm (10 9/16 x 15 3/8 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2002.98.191
Credit line
Gift of Jacob Kainen
Time span
1876 to 1900
Department
CG-W

Subjects and terms

  • American
  • etching
  • Landscape
  • topographical
  • landscape
  • animal
  • Pastoral
  • Grazing sheep
Provenance

(Conrad Graeber Fine Art, Glyndon, MD); Jacob Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased September 26, 1998; gift to NGA, 2002.

Inscription

lower left in plate: J.D. Smillie 0p. 31 / A Fallow Field / Etched from Nature - Montrose, Penna. / Oct. 9th '83; lower right in graphite: James D. Smillie

NGA object ID 119991. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.