Artwork

Study of Sky: Afternoon

Study of Sky: Afternoon, by Vernon Howard, 1850
Study of Sky: Afternoon, by Vernon Howard, 1850

Study of Sky: Afternoon is a drawing by Vernon Howard. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Study of Sky: Afternoon is a mid-19th-century drawing by Vernon Howard, dated circa 1850, and part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a serene landscape dominated by a calm sky with sparse clouds, juxtaposed against a subtle landscape of trees, fields, and distant, faintly suggested hills or mountains, evoking an overall atmosphere of tranquility.

Technique & Style

Characterized by gentle lines and nuanced shading, the work showcases a delicate approach to capturing natural softness, with the composition's depth enhanced by the contrast between the detailed foreground and the subtly implied distant landscape.

History & Provenance

Created around 1850 by Vernon Howard, the drawing is currently housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, with no detailed provenance provided beyond its current ownership.

Context

While specific contextual details about the artist's intentions or the work's reception are not provided, the piece reflects 19th-century interests in capturing the serenity of natural landscapes through meticulous drawing techniques.

Legacy

The work's legacy is not extensively documented, but it contributes to the broader appreciation of 19th-century drawing techniques, notably in how it employs subtle rendering to evoke calmness, potentially influencing or reflecting contemporary approaches to landscape drawing.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Vernon Howard

Artist

Vernon Howard

Vernon Linwood Howard was an American spiritual teacher, author, and philosopher.