A Rocky Shore at Coombmartin, Devon (Combe Martin Bay)

1783

Francis Towne

Associated Names
Francis Towne

Artist, British, 1739 - 1816

The image shows a landscape view from a slightly elevated perspective. In the foreground, there is calm water with a small boat and figures. In the background, there are rocky cliffs, hills, a path, and a few structures among trees. Rolling hills lead to the horizon, meeting the sky. The artwork features delicate and precise brushstrokes, defining textures of rocks and foliage. Ink washes suggest contours and lighting. The color palette includes shades of gray and muted earth tones, creating a serene visual effect.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and gray-brown ink and wash on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Donald Stone

  • Dimensions

    Overall: 24.5 x 34.8 cm (9 5/8 x 13 11/16 in.)
    mat: 40.6 x 55.9 cm (16 x 22 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2001.135.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Bequeathed by the artist to James White, Exeter [1744-1825] in 1816; John Herman Merivale [1779-1844] in 1825; to his granddaughters Maria Sophia Merivale [1853-1928] and Judith Ann Merivale [1860-1945], Oxford, in 1915; sold in 1933 by Judith Ann Merivale to (H. B. Milling, Squire Gallery, London); (Fine Art Society, London); Joseph de Carle Smith, Norwich, 14 May 1937. (sale, Phillips, 21 November 1988); (Agnew's, London); Donald Stone, New York; gift to NGA, 2001.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1926

  • Annual Water Colour Exhibition 1926, The Judge's Lodgings, Winchester, December 1926 - January 1927, no. 123.

1934

  • Squire Gallery Summer Exhibition of Early English Watercolours and Drawings, Squire Gallery, London, 1934, no. 1.

1936

  • An Exhibition of Early English Water-Colour Drawings, Fine Art Society, London, 1936, no. 28.

1937

  • Exhibition of Early English Water-Colour Drawings, Fine Art Society, London, 1937, no. 48.

1989

  • English Watercolours and Drawings: Agnew's 116th Annual Exhibition, Thomas Agnew & Sons, London, 1989, no. 19.

1992

  • English Watercolours and Drawings: Agnew's 119th Annual Exhibition, Thomas Agnew & Sons, London, 1992, no. 15.

1993

  • English Watercolours and Drawings: Agnew's 120th Annual Exhibition, Thomas Agnew & Sons, London, 1993, no. 16.

2006

  • The Artist's Vision: Romantic Traditions in Great Britain, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 2006 - 2007

Inscriptions

by later hand, upper left verso in graphite: DB 2877 / F. TOWNE; by artist, upper left verso in brown ink: Coombmartin / August the 26th 1783 / Francis Towne / Bay north west & south east; by Paul Oppé, center verso in graphite: 189 B.P; by later hand, lower right in graphite: NO / (not deciphered) / NO 3 francis / 2218

Wikidata ID

Q64562919

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