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This is a drawing depicting a ground-level perspective of a tall tree that takes up almost the entire paper. The horizon is low in the background, with an undulating, hilly landscape partially obscured by foliage. The tree's twisting branches and small leaves are intricately detailed with fine linework and textured shading. Detailed grass and small plants are visible near the base of the tree, and the sky behind it is clear. The background is blank, tan paper, and the lines of the drawing are gray.
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This is a drawing depicting a ground-level perspective of a tall tree that takes up almost the entire paper. The horizon is low in the background, with an undulating, hilly landscape partially obscured by foliage. The tree's twisting branches and small leaves are intricately detailed with fine linework and textured shading. Detailed grass and small plants are visible near the base of the tree, and the sky behind it is clear. The background is blank, tan paper, and the lines of the drawing are gray.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Great Oak Tree

John Constable

Date
c. 1801
Medium
black chalk with gray wash on laid paper, laid down
Dimensions
Overall: 54 x 44.4 cm (21 1/4 x 17 1/2 in.) mat: 55.9 x 71.1 cm (22 x 28 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1985.9.1
Credit line
Gift of Paul Mellon
Time span
1801 to 1825
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • British
  • Landscape
  • topographical
  • landscape
  • Romantic

NGA object ID 65819. 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.