Artwork

Portugal laurel

Portugal laurel, by Helen Allingham, 1874
Portugal laurel, by Helen Allingham, 1874

Portugal laurel is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Helen Allingham. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This pencil drawing depicts a Portugal laurel, characterized by a tangle of bare branches and scattered leaves on plain paper, with the species name noted in the corner.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a Portugal laurel, a specific plant type, rendered in a straightforward manner focusing on the natural arrangement of its branches and leaves.

Technique & Style

Executed with light, quick pencil strokes, the drawing varies in line density, with heavier pressure creating darker spots, suggesting a rapid, observational approach.

Artist & collection

Artist

Helen Allingham

Helen Allingham painted watercolors of English cottages and quiet landscapes in the late 1800s and early 1900s.