Artwork
Landscape with Three Trees
Landscape with Three Trees is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist James Wells Champney. It dates from 1863 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
James Wells Champney’s drawing titled Landscape with Three Trees was executed in 1863. Rendered in graphite on wove paper, the work measures a modest size typical of field sketches. The composition presents a tranquil rural scene, centered on three slender trees set against a gently rolling meadow, with a narrow stream tracing the lower edge of the picture plane.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts three tall trees, each with thin trunks and leafy crowns, positioned in an open field of short grass and scattered wild vegetation. One tree leans slightly to the left, suggesting a subtle interaction with wind or terrain. The quiet arrangement conveys a sense of solitude and the simple, unadorned beauty of an everyday landscape.
Technique & Style
Champney employed soft graphite lines and delicate shading to model form and suggest light falling across the scene. The rendering emphasizes basic shapes and tonal gradations rather than intricate detail, reflecting a practice of on‑site observation common among mid‑nineteenth‑century realist artists. The modest tonal range creates a gentle atmospheric effect without heavy contrast.
History & Provenance
Created during Champney’s early career, the drawing aligns with his broader interest in American rural subjects. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has been catalogued among his 1860s sketches and is held in a public collection that documents his contributions to American landscape drawing.
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Artist & collection
Artist
James Wells Champney (July 16, 1843 – May 1, 1903) was an American genre artist and illustrator noted for his portraits, oriental scenes and American landscapes.
