Artwork
Man and Woman under a Tree
Man and Woman under a Tree is an ink print by the Impressionist artist William Strang. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1890, *Man and Woman under a Tree* is a print by Scottish artist William Strang. Executed through a combination of drypoint and etching, the work presents a quiet scene of two figures seated beneath a large tree. The composition is rendered in fine, linear marks that emphasize the intimacy of the moment and the natural setting.
Subject & Meaning
The image shows a bearded man with his arm draped over a woman’s shoulders as they sit close together, both gazing downward. Their loose garments suggest a relaxed posture, while the surrounding foliage, suggested by sketchy strokes, frames the pair within a tranquil, perhaps contemplative, outdoor space.
Technique & Style
Strang employed drypoint, incising lines directly into a copper plate to produce the characteristic spider‑web like burr that softens edges, alongside traditional etching, which allows for precise, clean lines. This hybrid approach yields a texture that balances sharp definition with a slightly fuzzy halo around forms, a hallmark of his graphic work.
History & Provenance
Known for his illustrative engravings for literary figures such as John Bunyan and Rudyard Kipling, Strang applied the same meticulous draftsmanship to his own prints. *Man and Woman under a Tree* reflects his broader printmaking practice of the late nineteenth century and remains documented in collections that focus on British graphic art of the period.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
William Strang (13 February 1859 – 12 April 1921) was a Scottish painter and printmaker, notable for illustrating the works of Bunyan, Cervantes, Coleridge, Kipling, and others.
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Beggar with Hat in Hand (Mendiant avec son chapeau a la main)
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