Artwork
A Landscape with a Setting Sun
A Landscape with a Setting Sun is an oil painting by Mary Manning. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
Mary Manning’s oil painting, titled A Landscape with a Setting Sun, dates from around 1901 and is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Ireland. The work presents a broad outdoor scene bathed in the waning light of evening, inviting the viewer to contemplate the transition between day and night.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts an open field of tall grasses stretching toward a horizon where a sun, partially obscured by clouds, sinks below the landscape. Distant trees punctuate the background, while the sky’s cloudscape diffuses the remaining sunlight, suggesting a quiet moment of natural transition and the subtle interplay of light and atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a restrained palette of browns, greens, and muted tones. Visible brushwork creates a textured surface, and the handling of light and shadow conveys depth, reminiscent of chiaroscuro principles. The overall effect balances realism with an atmospheric softness characteristic of early twentieth‑century landscape painting.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1901, the work entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the gallery’s effort to represent Irish artists of the period, and the painting continues to serve as an example of Manning’s contribution to the country’s artistic heritage.
Artist & collection
