Not on display
- Artist
- Frederick Walker 1840–1875
- Medium
- Oil paint on canvas
- Dimensions
- Support: 1346 x 1683 mm
frame: 1685 x 2025 x 124 mm - Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Bequeathed by Amy, Lady Tate 1920
- Reference
- N03514
Display caption
Walker shows the crumbling gate of Halsway Court at Crowcombe in Somerset, where he stayed in 1868-9. Using local people as models, he added figures to give the picture a narrative content. However, Walker deliberately let the narrative remain ambiguous, to encourage viewers to construct their own story.
Walker firmly believed in painting directly from his subject, to create a detailed evocation of nature. In this picture, however, he deviated from his usual practice. It was made in his studio from a smaller study painted in the open air. Walker was unhappy with the original arrangement of the figures, and altered them for this version.
Gallery label, September 2004
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.
Explore
- architecture(41,828)
- features(9,059)
- stair / step(538)
- townscapes / man-made features(21,996)
- gate(553)
- features(9,059)
- nature(46,224)
- animals: mammals(5,120)
- dog - non-specific(1,110)
- landscape(26,644)
- hill(10,421)
- animals: mammals(5,120)
- objects(23,039)
- agriculture, gardening & fishing(1,032)
- spade(77)
- clothing and personal effects(5,836)
- smock(43)
- agriculture, gardening & fishing(1,032)
- people(35,274)
- places(41,821)
- UK countries and regions(24,947)
- England(19,683)
- England, South West(3,595)
- England, Southern(9,246)
- UK counties(20,129)
- Somerset(225)
- UK cities, towns and villages(13,089)
- UK countries and regions(24,947)
- work and occupations(14,301)
- agriculture and fishing(1,373)
- farm labourer(132)
- agriculture and fishing(1,373)
You might like
Frederick Walker The Old Gate
1874–5
Thomas Wade Turf Cutters
1869
Sir George Clausen Winter Work
1883–4