Pergola with Oranges
1834
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
1834
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
You’re looking at a sunlit garden path lined with orange trees, their leaves thick and glossy. Fearnley painted this on paper first, then glued it to canvas—unusual for the time. The paper’s texture still shows through the thin oil, giving the leaves a soft, almost fuzzy look. It feels like a quick, happy sketch, not a polished studio work. If you like this light touch, try the technique called glazing.
