Trees and haystacks under a threatening sky

Date made: 1884-1933

Artist: Knox, Archibald

Description: A relatively minimalist but atmospheric watercolour by Archibald Knox (1864-1933) of grey threatening storm clouds over a flat landscape. The painting appears to be an attempt to capture the broad panoramic views of the Island's landscape with the distant tree-topped hills and the broad expanse of sky above them. Knox's watercolour sketches can be seen as exercises in capturing the light and a single moment in time. The artist is said to have painted his watercolour scenes in a few hours or less, but that he would also sit for hours waiting for the exact light and cloud formations that he wanted to paint.

Measurements: unframed artwork: 44.5 cm x 58 cm

Materials: watercolour on paper

Photograph and description courtesy of Manx National Heritage via the link at imuseum.im.