Who painted An Oak Tree?

An Oak Tree was painted by John Glover in 1795.

Where can I see An Oak Tree?

An Oak Tree is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is An Oak Tree?

An Oak Tree is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

An Oak Tree

John Glover , 1795

An Oak Tree is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist John Glover. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The composition centers on the tree’s massive trunk and expansive root system, while its twisted branches support dense clusters of foliage.

John Glover’s drawing titled An Oak Tree, executed around 1795, presents a solitary oak rendered in pen and black ink with a subtle gray wash applied over a graphite underdrawing on wove paper. The composition centers on the tree’s massive trunk and expansive root system, while its twisted branches support dense clusters of foliage. The paper shows signs of age, its surface bearing a faint yellowing that hints at its historic provenance.

Subject & Meaning

The work isolates a single oak, a tree long associated with strength and endurance, emphasizing its natural form rather than a surrounding landscape. By focusing on the trunk, roots, and canopy, Glover invites contemplation of the tree’s structural complexity and the passage of time, qualities often linked to the oak’s symbolic resonance in European cultural traditions.

Technique & Style

Glover employed a combination of precise line work and loose gestural strokes, beginning with a graphite sketch that establishes the basic structure. Ink outlines define the trunk and branches, while cross‑hatching creates texture in the bark and foliage. A light gray wash, applied sparingly, adds tonal depth without overwhelming the drawing’s monochrome palette, demonstrating a restrained approach to shading.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1795, An Oak Tree belongs to the early period of Glover’s career, when he was developing his reputation as a landscape draughtsman. The drawing has remained on wove paper, a material common to the late eighteenth century, and its aged appearance suggests continuous preservation. Documentation traces its ownership through private collections before entering a public institution’s holdings in the mid‑twentieth century.