Artwork
Hollyhocks in a Long-Necked Vase
Hollyhocks in a Long-Necked Vase is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James David Smillie. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in plate: J.D. Smillie / Aug. 91; lower left edge in graphite by unknown hand: 6U; lower left verso in graphite by unknown hand: BC144
About this work
Overview
Hollyhocks in a Long-Necked Vase is a drypoint print created by James David Smillie in 1891, featuring a monochromatic depiction of a distinctive vase and its floral contents.
Subject & Meaning
The print focuses on a tall, narrow-necked vase with a wide, rounded base, adorned with dark spots, and filled with three large, leafy hollyhocks. The flowers are rendered with textured, lumpy forms and prominent stems, topped with buds.
Technique & Style
Smillie employed the drypoint technique, scratching lines into a metal plate to achieve the print. The shading is characterized by rough, expressive lines, imparting a tactile, almost three-dimensional quality to the flowers.
History & Provenance
Created in 1891, specific details regarding the print's exhibition history, ownership, or edition size are not provided.
Context
This work reflects Smillie's exploration of still life through drypoint, a medium allowing for expressive, handmade marks. The piece may relate to late 19th-century interests in capturing everyday beauty through printmaking.
Legacy
While not widely discussed in broad art historical narratives, Hollyhocks in a Long-Necked Vase remains a representative example of Smillie's drypoint work, potentially appealing to those interested in the technical aspects of printmaking and the aesthetic of late 19th-century still-life prints.
Artist & collection
