While living in Ipswich in the 1750s, Gainsborough made a group of intensely wrought graphite drawings of trees, including this sheet, which comes from a sketchbook. The artist is now admired for his abstract approach to landscape, but this work demonstrates how careful observation of nature provided a foundation for later compositions. Here, a brushed layer of gray wash provides a tonal foundation for graphite strokes applied to describe foliage. Varied pressure on a porte-crayon (a drawing tool designed to clamp small pieces of graphite) allowed him to delineate delicate leaf clusters and indicate light falling from the left.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
Open Access
As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.
API
Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.
Dimensions:Sheet: 6 1/4 x 7 5/8 in. (15.8 x 19.4 cm)
Classification:Drawings
Credit Line:Purchase, Brooke Russell Astor Bequest, 2013
Object Number:2013.100
Margaret Gainsborough (British), possibly sold at the following; Probably Christie's, London, May 11, 1799, lot 82, 84 or 88; George Hibbert (British), bought at the preceding; then by descent; The Honorable Arthur Henry Holland-Hibbert (British); Mrs. A. H. Holland-Hibbert (British), sold at the following; Christie's, London, June 30, 1913, lot 43, bought by Parsons; E. Parsons & Sons (British); Christie's, London, June 9, 2005, lot 36; W.S Fine Art Ltd. / Andrew Wyld (British), bought at the preceding; Christie's, London, "Andrew Wyld: Connoisseur Dealer", 10 July 2012, lot 41; Vendor: Katrin Bellinger Kunsthandel , Munich
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Drawings and Prints: Selections from the Permanent Collection," November 19, 2013–February 10, 2014.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "British Vision, 1700–1900: Selections from the Department of Drawings and Prints," December 7, 2023–March 5, 2024.
John T. Hayes The Drawings of Thomas Gainsborough. Yale University Press, 2 vols., New Haven, 1971, Vol. 1, cat. no. 167 or 176, pp. 151-2.
Watercolours and Drawings, 1750–1950: The Annual Exhibition.. W.S Fine Art Ltd. / Andrew Wyld, June 7–July 7, 2006, cat. no. 5, ill.
Susan Sloman Landscape on Paper. W.S Fine Art Ltd. / Andrew Wyld, June 6–July 6, 2007, cat. no. 6, ill.
Hugh Belsey "A Second Supplement of John Hayes's The Drawings of Thomas Gainsborough." Master Drawings. vol. 46, 2008, cat. no. 1027, pp. 478-9, fig. no. 52, ill.
Susan Sloman Catalogue. W.S Fine Art Ltd. / Andrew Wyld, 29 June-22 July, 2011, cat. no. 3, pp. 10-11, ill.
Christie's, London Andrew Wyld: Connoisseur Dealer: Part I. [Sale catalogue]. London, July 10, 2012, lot 41.
The Met's Libraries and Research Centers provide unparalleled resources for research and welcome an international community of students and scholars.
The Met Collection API is where all makers, creators, researchers, and dreamers can connect to the most up-to-date data and public domain images for The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.
The Met's collection of drawings and prints—one of the most comprehensive and distinguished of its kind in the world—began with a gift of 670 works from Cornelius Vanderbilt, a Museum trustee, in 1880.
