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The image shows a landscape view from a slightly elevated perspective. In the foreground, there is calm water with a small boat and figures. In the background, there are rocky cliffs, hills, a path, and a few structures among trees. Rolling hills lead to the horizon, meeting the sky. The artwork features delicate and precise brushstrokes, defining textures of rocks and foliage. Ink washes suggest contours and lighting. The color palette includes shades of gray and muted earth tones, creating a serene visual effect.
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The image shows a landscape view from a slightly elevated perspective. In the foreground, there is calm water with a small boat and figures. In the background, there are rocky cliffs, hills, a path, and a few structures among trees. Rolling hills lead to the horizon, meeting the sky. The artwork features delicate and precise brushstrokes, defining textures of rocks and foliage. Ink washes suggest contours and lighting. The color palette includes shades of gray and muted earth tones, creating a serene visual effect.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Rocky Shore at Coombmartin, Devon (Combe Martin Bay)

Francis Towne

Date
1783
Medium
pen and gray-brown ink and wash on laid paper
Dimensions
Overall: 24.5 x 34.8 cm (9 5/8 x 13 11/16 in.) mat: 40.6 x 55.9 cm (16 x 22 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2001.135.1
Credit line
Gift of Donald Stone
Time span
1726 to 1750
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • British
  • Tree
  • Trees
  • Water
  • Boat
  • Mountain
  • Rocks
Provenance

Bequeathed by the artist to James White, Exeter [1744-1825] in 1816; John Herman Merivale [1779-1844] in 1825; to his granddaughters Maria Sophia Merivale [1853-1928] and Judith Ann Merivale [1860-1945], Oxford, in 1915; sold in 1933 by Judith Ann Merivale to (H. B. Milling, Squire Gallery, London); (Fine Art Society, London); Joseph de Carle Smith, Norwich, 14 May 1937. (sale, Phillips, 21 November 1988); (Agnew's, London); Donald Stone, New York; gift to NGA, 2001.

Inscription

by later hand, upper left verso in graphite: DB 2877 / F. TOWNE; by artist, upper left verso in brown ink: Coombmartin / August the 26th 1783 / Francis Towne / Bay north west & south east; by Paul Oppé, center verso in graphite: 189 B.P; by later hand, lower right in graphite: NO / (not deciphered) / NO 3 francis / 2218

NGA object ID 121851. 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.