Winter was painted by Francis Wheatley in 1797.

Where can I see Winter?

Winter is held by Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

What movement is Winter?

Winter is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

Winter

Francis Wheatley , 1797

Winter is an unspecified painting by the British Romanticist artist Francis Wheatley. It dates from 1797 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1797, *Winter* is an oil painting by English artist Francis Wheatley. Executed during the height of British Romanticism, the work now belongs to the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It presents a modest, outdoor scene that balances the chill of a snowy landscape with a quietly affectionate atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a boy and a girl standing amid fresh snow, clutching a bundle of twigs and leaves. The girl’s dress combines red and white tones, while the boy is wrapped in a brown coat and hat, suggesting modest winter attire. Their pose and the distant, snow‑capped hills convey a gentle narrative of childhood play within a cold environment.

Technique & Style

Wheatley employs a restrained palette, allowing the bright reds of the girl’s dress to punctuate the muted whites and grays of the surrounding snow. Soft brushwork renders the texture of the ground and distant hills, while careful modeling of light on the figures creates a subtle sense of warmth. The overall arrangement reflects the Romantic interest in nature’s mood and everyday life.

History & Provenance

Painted toward the end of the 18th century, *Winter* entered the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s holdings in the 20th century, though the precise acquisition details remain limited. Its presence in a major American institution highlights the transatlantic appreciation of Wheatley’s genre scenes beyond his native Britain.

Context

Francis Wheatley (1747‑1805) was recognized for portraiture and genre landscapes that often depicted domestic or rural moments. *Winter* aligns with his broader oeuvre, echoing the sentimental tone common in late‑18th‑century British art, where everyday subjects were rendered with a poetic sensitivity characteristic of the Romantic era.