Trees at Fordland, Devon

Trees at Fordland, Devon

John White Abbott

1841

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a quiet forest scene with three tall trees at the center. Their branches twist and spread out, filling most of the page. The ground is lightly drawn with grass and a few bushes, while the sky is barely there—just a faint line at the top. The whole thing is done in gray ink and wash, giving it a soft, misty look. The artist signed it "Fordland" and dated it 1841, which matches the facts. The trees look almost like they’re growing straight out of the paper, with lots of small lines defining their bark and leaves. Want to see more? Check out Romanticism for other works that focus on nature’s wild beauty.

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