Artwork

Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate

Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate, by Joseph Paul, oil, 1850
Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate, by Joseph Paul, oil, 1850

Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate is an oil painting by the Realist artist Joseph Paul. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate, created in 1850 by Joseph Paul, is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The painting measures 123.2 centimeters in height and 99 centimeters in width. As a landscape work, its composition incorporates depictions of trees. The artwork is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

History & Provenance

Created in 1850 by Joseph Paul, Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate is an oil on canvas painting.

Created in 1850 by Joseph Paul, Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate is an oil on canvas painting. Its early ownership included The Hon. Mrs. James(?) Byng, after which it was handled by the Wallis & Son gallery in London.

In 1892, Peter A.B. Widener of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, purchased the work, mistakenly attributing it to Crome. Following Widener's death, the painting passed from his estate to Joseph E. Widener via a gift through power of appointment. In 1942, Joseph E. Widener formally gifted the artwork to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it remains today.

The painting is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Its path to the institution began with The Hon. Mrs. James Byng, after which it was sold by Wallis and Son in London. Peter A.B. Widener of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, purchased the work in 1892, at which time it was attributed to Crome. Following Widener's death, the piece passed through his estate to his son, Joseph E. Widener.

In 1942, Joseph E. Widener gifted the artwork to the National Gallery of Art via a power of appointment. While the work is documented as part of the Widener Collection as early as 1908, specific public exhibition records beyond its inclusion in this foundational collection are not detailed in the available sources.

Overview

Joseph Paul's "Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate," created around 1850, is an oil on canvas painting. It presents a tranquil outdoor scene, featuring individuals enjoying a picnic near a gateway, surrounded by trees and donkeys. The work exemplifies a common theme of the era, capturing moments of leisure within a natural setting.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a serene moment of daily life, where people gather for a picnic beside a rustic gate. Donkeys graze nearby, while various trees frame the composition, contributing to the idyllic atmosphere. This depiction of ordinary activities reflects a broader artistic interest in genre scenes and the quiet beauty found in everyday human interaction with nature during the mid-19th century.

Colney Hatch, Hertfordshire
Colney Hatch, Hertfordshire, George Cruikshank

Artist & collection

Portrait of Joseph Paul

Artist

Joseph Paul

Joseph Paul (1830–1880) was an artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate?

Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate was painted by Joseph Paul in c. 1830-1880.

Where can I see Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate?

Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate?

Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate?

Museum-quality prints of Landscape with Picnickers and Donkeys by a Gate are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.