formerly attributed to John Constable

Trunk and Lower Branches of a Tree

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Not on display

Artist: Formerly attributed to John Constable 1776–1837
Medium: Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions: Support: 635 × 759 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Bequeathed by George Salting 1910
Reference: N02660

Display caption

This painting used to be regarded as a late work by Constable, painted around 1830. However, the general idea of the picture - an enclosed subject seen from close to - is quite untypical, especially treated on this largish scale. The palette knife is also used with an uncharacteristically heavy hand and the colour, mainly whites and browns, is far drabber than in anything else by Constable. The painting was formerly called Dell in Helmingham Park but appears to have no connection with the place.

Gallery label, May 2007

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Catalogue entry

N02660 Trunk and Lower Branches of a Tree

Oil on canvas, 25×29 7/8 (63.5×75.9).
Prov: ...; bought from Leggatt's by Agnew's 1898 and sold that year to George Salting; sold back to Agnew's by him 1900 but repurchased the same year; bequeathed by Salting to the National Gallery 1910; at the Tate Gallery 1919–56; transferred to the Tate Gallery 1962. Accession N02660.
Exh: Agnew's 1910(253); Tate Gallery 1937(p.16, No.25); Chicago, New York and Toronto 1946–7(38); Moscow and Leningrad 1960(60).
Lit: Holmes 1902, p.249, 1910, p.80; Shirley 1937, pp.lxxiii, 272; Chamot 1956, p.263; Davies 1959, p.25; Beckett 1961, Paintings: Suffolk A (7) No.14; Hoozee 1979, No.697 (rejected work).

No.48 used to be regarded as a late work by Constable, painted around 1830. However, the general idea of the picture - an enclosed subject seen from close to - is quite untypical, especially treated on this largish scale. The palette knife is also used with an uncharacteristically heavy hand and the colour, mainly whites and browns, is far drabber than in anything by Constable. The painting was formerly called ‘Dell in Helmingham Park’ but appears to have no connection with the place.