The Edge of a Wood

1630s

Sir Anthony van Dyck

Associated Names
Sir Anthony van Dyck

Artist, Flemish, 1599 - 1641

The image shows a landscape viewed from an elevated perspective, like standing on a small hill looking into a wooded area. The horizon is implied by a gentle arc of darker shaded foliage in the middle, creating a sense of distance. The brushstrokes are loose and fluid, emphasizing quick, gestural movements capturing trees and foliage. The color palette is monochromatic, with warm brown ink on a light background. Closer objects have darker shadows on the left with defined tree trunks and foliage, while distant objects are lighter and less defined, blending into the background.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Syma Busiel Fund

  • Dimensions

    Overall (approximate): 19.9 x 26 cm (7 13/16 x 10 1/4 in.)
    support: 30 x 37 cm (11 13/16 x 14 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1970.14.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

P. H. Lankrink (Lugt 2090); Jonathan Richardson (Lugt 2183); Thomas Hudson (Lugt 2432); Sir Joshua Reynolds (Lugt 2364); The Earls Cowper; Lady Lucas; Mrs. Spencer Loch; (sale, Christie's 1 July 1969, no. 68); (Thomas Agnew & Sons, Ltd.); purchased by National Gallery, 1970.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1978

  • Master Drawings from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art and Promised Gifts, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1978, p. 61.

1987

  • English Drawings and Watercolors, 1630-1850, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1987-1988, no cat.

1999

  • The Light of Nature: Landscape Drawings and Watercolours by Van Dyck and His Contemporaries, Rubenshuis, Antwerp and The British Museum, London, 1999, no. 8.

Bibliography

1969

  • Christie's, London: 7/1/69, 68.

1984

  • Walker, John. National Gallery of Art, Washington. Rev. ed. New York, 1984: 672, no. 1072, color repro.

1999

  • Cornet, Pascal, et al. Van Dyck: Guide illustré pour les expositions. Antwerp, 1999: no. 8.

Inscriptions

lower right in brown ink: A. van Dyck; in later hand, across bottom in brown ink on mount: A. Vandick; upper right on mount: 919; upper center verso: P.49. / 21. / [L?]g.101 / L.9. / 6.

Markings

(L.2432), Reynolds (L.2364)

Wikidata ID

Q64631703

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