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The image is a pencil sketch depicting a tall tree that dominates the scene. The horizon is not clearly defined, with the focus on the tree's details. The trunk and branches are drawn with delicate, sinuous lines, while foliage is represented by light pencil strokes, suggesting natural movement. The sketch uses a monochromatic palette to create depth and texture, with varying shades of pencil. The tree's trunk and branches are detailed up close, while the foliage blends softly into the background. The drawing has a loose, airy feel, emphasizing the tree's organic intricacies without overwhelming detail.
Read the visual description

The image is a pencil sketch depicting a tall tree that dominates the scene. The horizon is not clearly defined, with the focus on the tree's details. The trunk and branches are drawn with delicate, sinuous lines, while foliage is represented by light pencil strokes, suggesting natural movement. The sketch uses a monochromatic palette to create depth and texture, with varying shades of pencil. The tree's trunk and branches are detailed up close, while the foliage blends softly into the background. The drawing has a loose, airy feel, emphasizing the tree's organic intricacies without overwhelming detail.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Beech Wood

John Linnell

Date
1815
Medium
graphite heightened with white chalk on wove paper
Dimensions
overall: 42 x 28.8 cm (16 9/16 x 11 5/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1995.52.109
Credit line
Gift of William B. O'Neal
Time span
1801 to 1825
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • British
  • United Kingdom
  • landscape
  • Tree
  • botanical
Provenance

Miss G.C. Bollard, the artist's granddaughter; (Thos. Agnew & Sons Ltd., London); purchased by William B. O'Neal, Charlottesville, VA, 1985-1994; gift to NGA, 1995.

Inscription

lower center in brown ink: [?] 1815 J. Linnell; possibly by later hand, lower right in graphite: JL; by later hand, upper left verso in graphite: Bee; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 7626; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 3

Watermarks

39 (partial watermark)

NGA object ID 76085. 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.