A Fallow Field

1883

James David Smillie

Associated Names
James David Smillie

Artist, American, 1833 - 1909

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.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching in black on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Jacob Kainen

  • 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.)

  • Accession Number

    2002.98.191

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Witthoft 1992, no. 34

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

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

Associated Names

Bibliography

1992

  • Witthoft, Brucia. _The Fine-Arts Etchings of James David Smillie, 1833-1909: Catalogue Raisonné _. Wales, UK: Edwin Mellen Press,1992, p. 132, no. 34.

Inscriptions

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

Wikidata ID

Q76342789

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