Partridges (recto); L.D. Campbell's Tomb (verso)

1861

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Partridges (recto); L.D. Campbell's Tomb (verso) is a 1861 by Captain N. Baily, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Captain N. Baily
When & what style?: 1861 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see two partridges hanging by a thin rope against a plain wood wall. The photographer arranged a simple composition to show the camera's ability to record details. This was a common interest among photographers in the 1850s and 60s. They wanted to display the variety of shapes and textures in still life. Check out the technique of chiaroscuro to learn more about how artists use light and dark to create depth in their work.

The story of this work

Overview

N. Baily carefully arranged a simple composition of two partridges hanging by a thin rope against a plain wood wall. Like many photographers in the 1850s and 60s, he was interested in displaying the camera’s ability to record in detail the variety of shapes and textures present in the still life. Little is known of Baily, a British amateur photographer. He was a member of the Amateur Photographic Association and participated in several of their album exchanges. Still lifes incorporating game, fowl, and fish were popular among amateur photographers during this period. Many members of the…

Read the full account in the museum source.