Provenance

The Leger Galleries Ltd.

The Leger Galleries Limited

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We look down onto a grass-topped promontory that gives way to a vast, hazy river valley in this horizontal watercolor. A dozen men, women, children, and babies rest in small groups or work near grapevines to our right on the promontory. They all have pale, peachy skin and wear garments in off white, royal blue, pink, beige, or gray. Rakes, barrels, cloth, and other equipment are piled to our left. The land dips steeply down beyond the pile to a slender, tall white tower. Opposite it, to our right, a grove of tall, spindly trees partially hides a brown stone, crenelated tower. The land drops steeply down from there to a deep, wide river valley. Flanking the waterway, mounded hills mottled with harvest yellow, laurel green, and pinkish-beige lighten to icy blue in the distance. Buildings tucked among the hills and ships on the river are suggested with indistinct strokes or scratches on the paper, and a few tufts of smoke rising from chimneys or smokestacks. The horizon comes two thirds of the way up the composition. A white glow across the center of the sky deepens to lapis blue at the edges. The artist signed and dated the lower right corner, “JMWT 1840.”
Joseph Mallord William Turner, Oberwesel, 1840, watercolor and gouache over graphite with scratching-out, Paul Mellon Fund, 2007.77.1

Oberwesel

Joseph Mallord William Turner · 1840 · watercolor and gouache over graphite with scratching-out ·  Accession ID  2007.77.1

The image shows a landscape with a slightly elevated viewpoint. The horizon line is in the middle, with rolling hills that rise and fall towards the right. The artwork features delicate brushstrokes, resembling watercolor, giving a soft quality to the trees and clouds. The color palette includes muted tones like pale blues, gentle greens, and soft grays. In the foreground, a small herd of deer is depicted. On the left, a group of trees stands tall. In the distance, misty mountains and trees are visible.
Anthony Devis, Deer Resting in Albury Park, after 1780, watercolor over graphite on Whatman laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1991.138.1

Deer Resting in Albury Park

Anthony Devis · after 1780 · watercolor over graphite on Whatman laid paper ·  Accession ID  1991.138.1

This image features a winding path through a wooded area, with the horizon high near the top edge of the image. Tall trees with overhanging branches, a patch of blue sky, and dense foliage are depicted with a watercolor technique. The color palette consists of earth tones, green, brown, and touches of blue. The path leads into a shadowed area in the distance.
Cornelius Varley, A Wooded Lane near Ross, 1803, watercolor over graphite on wove paper, Gift of Diane Allen Nixon, 2000.74.3

A Wooded Lane near Ross

Cornelius Varley · 1803 · watercolor over graphite on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2000.74.3

The image shows a landscape with a river flowing across it. The horizon line is in the middle, with distant hills and a few structures aligning with it. Large trees are on the left side with textured brushstrokes. Soft, flowing strokes are used with a monochromatic grey color palette. In the distance, there is a hazy background with subtle tones creating a sense of depth and tranquility.
William Gilpin, River Landscape with Ruins, 1770s, pen and black ink with gray wash over graphite on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1988.23.3

River Landscape with Ruins

William Gilpin · 1770s · pen and black ink with gray wash over graphite on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1988.23.3

The image displays a landscape with a body of water, figures near the water's edge, and hills and mountains in the background. The painting features soft brushstrokes creating a gentle and dreamy quality. The color palette is muted with pastel tones dominating the scene. Clouds fill the sky with sunlight breaking through, illuminating parts of the landscape.
Paul Sandby, The Tide Rising at Briton Ferry, 1773, watercolor over graphite; laid down, Gift of The Circle of the National Gallery of Art, 1988.19.1

The Tide Rising at Briton Ferry

Paul Sandby · 1773 · watercolor over graphite; laid down ·  Accession ID  1988.19.1

The image shows a detailed drawing of a gothic-style architectural structure, possibly a cathedral. The building is positioned slightly off-center to the right and dominates the scene with intricate detailing and pointed arches. The horizon is low, where the building meets the ground. The drawing uses precise pencil strokes to outline the architecture and surrounding trees. The color palette is monochromatic, emphasizing light and shadow effects. Additional structures are subtly depicted in the background, appearing smaller as they recede. Trees border the left side of the scene.
Thomas Girtin, Bristol Cathedral from College Green, 1797?, graphite on wove paper, Gift of Donald Stone, 2022.40.50

Bristol Cathedral from College Green

Thomas Girtin · 1797? · graphite on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2022.40.50

The image shows a cliff overlooking the sea. The horizon is a quarter down from the top, with the calm sea meeting the sky. The brushstrokes are delicate and detailed, showing the rocky cliff and lush vegetation. The color palette is monochromatic with light grays. A path winds through foliage on the cliff, and a small figure stands near the edge. Tall trees lean over the cliff.
John White Abbott, Sheer Cliffs above a Coastal Road, 1810, pen and black ink with gray wash on wove paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1995.1.1

Sheer Cliffs above a Coastal Road

John White Abbott · 1810 · pen and black ink with gray wash on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1995.1.1

The image shows an elevated point of view overlooking a vast landscape. The horizon is high, with distant hills or mountains barely visible. The brushstrokes are gentle and fluid, giving the painting a soft quality. The color palette is muted, with soft whites, beige, green, and pink. The foreground shows subtle variations in color suggesting grassy and earthy textures. A cluster of trees is on the left, adding depth. In the distance, the landscape extends under a cloudy sky, blending with the background's muted tones.
Cornelius Varley, An Extensive View in Shropshire, 1803, watercolor over graphite on wove paper, Gift of Diane Allen Nixon, 2000.74.2

An Extensive View in Shropshire

Cornelius Varley · 1803 · watercolor over graphite on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2000.74.2

The image is a landscape drawing depicting the meeting of the sky and land. The horizon line is slightly above the center, with an open, barren landscape. The artwork features broad brushstrokes creating textures and tones. The color scheme is monochromatic, with warm sepia tones creating an aged atmosphere. The scene transitions from darker tones in the foreground to lighter tones in the sky, with clouds adding depth.
Francis Danby, Panorama of the Coast at Sunset, c. 1813, brown wash with white heightening on wove paper, Gift of Diane Allen Nixon, 2000.74.1

Panorama of the Coast at Sunset

Francis Danby · c. 1813 · brown wash with white heightening on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2000.74.1

The image depicts an architectural gateway leading into a courtyard, featuring a symmetrical view of a Gothic-style window and spire of a building in the distance. The view is straight-on, showing cobblestone paths and intricate carvings on the gateway. A man leans against the left wall, while a couple stands on the right. The detailed brushwork style highlights the architectural details with fine lines. The color palette includes muted tones of gray, beige, and light blues. Statues, ornamental details, and faint clouds are seen in the sky above the gateway.
John Carter, The Erpingham Gate, Norwich, 1791, pen and black ink, gray wash, and watercolor on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1992.48.1

The Erpingham Gate, Norwich

John Carter · 1791 · pen and black ink, gray wash, and watercolor on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1992.48.1