Artwork

Old Olive Trees, Bordighera

Old Olive Trees, Bordighera, by Edwin Bale, watercolor, 1860
Old Olive Trees, Bordighera, by Edwin Bale, watercolor, 1860

Old Olive Trees, Bordighera is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Edwin Bale. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Old Olive Trees, Bordighera is a watercolour painting created by Edwin Bale in 1860. The work is signed by the artist and depicts a serene coastal scene.

Subject & Meaning

The painting features three gnarled olive trees on a rocky shoreline, with a calm sea and distant hills in the background. The composition emphasizes the contrast between the twisted trees and the smooth, expansive water and sky.

Technique & Style

Bale employed loose, rapid brushstrokes to convey the effects of light and shadow, achieving a natural, spontaneous appearance. The textured trees are juxtaposed with the smoother surrounding elements, highlighting their rugged character.

Artist & collection

Artist

Edwin Bale

Edwin Bale painted watercolors of olive groves around Bordighera in the late 1800s.