Study of a willow tree overhanging water, near Ball's Bridge, Dublin
1857
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1857
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This painting shows a lone willow tree with gnarled branches stretching over dark, still water. The tree’s roots twist into the river, while its bare limbs reach upward, tangled against a pale, misty sky. Below, the water reflects the tree’s shadow, and a hint of land and distant hills fades into soft green and gray. The artist focused on the tree’s wild, natural shape, not smoothing out its rough edges. This was painted in 1857, when artists were starting to study light and nature closely. Look up Realism next to see how this style captured everyday scenes.
