Hampstead Heath, Evening Light

1800

Francis Towne

Associated Names
Francis Towne

Artist, British, 1739 - 1816

The image shows a town or village surrounded by trees and hills. The composition is elevated, capturing a broad perspective with the horizon high in the frame. The painting features subtle brushstrokes to create smooth transitions and soft silhouettes. Earthy tones dominate the foreground, while light brown and beige hues define the distant area. The color palette and strokes create a tranquil atmosphere. Two figures are depicted sitting and looking towards the view.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and black ink with gray and blue-gray wash over graphite on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Donald Stone

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 22.2 × 36.7 cm (8 3/4 × 14 7/16 in.)
    mount: 28.4 × 42 cm (11 3/16 × 16 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2022.40.36

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Stephens Online Catalogue, no. FT 621

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Bequeathed by the artist to James White, Exeter [1744 - 1825]; John Herman Merivale [1779 - 1844]; by descent; in 1915, by descent to Maria Sophia Merivale [1852 - 1928] and Judith Ann Merivale, Oxford [1860 - 1945]; (sold in November 1933 to Squire Gallery, London); Sir John Braithwaite, London [1884 - 1973]; by descent; (sale, Sotheby's London, 7 June 2006, no. 360, bought in); Donald Stone, New York [1942 - 2020]; bequest to NGA, 2022.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2023

  • Drawing in Britain, 1700 - 1900: New Additions to the Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 2023.

Bibliography

n.d.

  • Stephens, Richard A Catalogue Raisonné of Francis Towne. Accessed 3/72022, no. FT/621 http://francistowne.ac.uk/collection/list-of-works/hampstead

Inscriptions

lower left verso in pen and ink: Hampstead Heath evening light from / the right hand 1800 F Towne; by later hand, center verso in graphite: 241 BP / 22 x 16 / [undeciphered] green

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