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UnknownTombstones in a country graveyard1940-1950
1940-1950
About the Item
British, c. 1940-50
Tombstones in a country graveyard
With a study of two herring verso
Signed in initials with brush handle lower right, ‘R.M.’
Oil and graphite on board
30.3 x 37.3 cm.; (within frame) 45 x 51.5 cm.
Provenance:
Private Collection, United Kingdom.
Looking inward from the periphery of a country graveyard, haphazard cruciform tombstones skilfully absorb the eye to a distant church beyond. Sinking at angles into autumnal earth, the moss-licked tombstones emerge half from shadow in glorious tones, elongating the picture plane with an uncanny intensity. A fluted stone column is one such vertical form which altogether swell the bounds of the image, impressing the metaphorical weight of the monuments as deteriorating remnants of the dead. Muddy graves are grown over with vegetation; some are ornamented with vases or urns which stand poignantly empty; a modest wooden crucifix is planted into the soil.
Yet the charming visual decay of this dynamic composition alleviates the conspicuous memento mori symbolism. An attractive palette of deep purple and pink pigments tempers the spiritual weight of the scene, which is lightened by a bright foreground of long grass and overgrowth, delicately shaped in fine outline. Loosely worked foliage offsets the austere geometry of the abundant tombstones, and speaks to the pictorial assurance of the unknown artist. Painted on a section of board, the work is signed ambiguously with a brush handle to the bottom right in initials ‘R.M.’. With more levity than the graveyard scene painted recto, the panel is painted to the reverse with a study of two herring.
Although neither signed nor dated, the work is of a characteristically British style which can be approximated to c. 1940-50. The quickly modelled foliage of the upper left trees inherits the loose strokes typical of the Bloomsbury group, while the finely applied lines of the church window, column and central leaves possess a precision more familiar to the architecture of John Piper and Graham Sutherland. The existence of an unrelated work verso, depicting two herring resting on parchment paper in a dissimilar style and without the same initials, would suggest a younger artist at work, repurposing a support medium to experiment with their developing style. The somewhat tentative signature in initials would support this. It is likely that the work is that of a known artist of the 20th century, whose authorship is confused by the development of a distinct mature style later in their career.
- Creation Year:1940-1950
- Dimensions:Height: 11.93 in (30.3 cm)Width: 14.69 in (37.3 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:The work is in good and stable condition. A minor loss to the upper left and linear mark from a previous frame.
- Gallery Location:Maidenhead, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: British, c. 1940-19501stDibs: LU2820215585432
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