1889
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Single Hollyhocks is a 1889 ink by James David Smillie, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This close-up shows a cluster of hollyhock flowers in black and white. The petals are soft but detailed, with shadows and light playing across their surfaces. The background is dark, making the flowers stand out sharply. The artist used shading to give the flowers depth, almost like they’re popping off the page. Hollyhocks were a common subject for artists studying light and texture. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how this technique works in other art.
James David Smillie was an American artist, cofounder of the American Watercolor Society and New York Etching Club. His brother was painter George Henry Smillie.
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