Artwork
Moonlight on elderflower, the garden, Shoreham
Moonlight on elderflower, the garden, Shoreham is a watercolor work on paper by the Contemporary Abstract artist Franklin White. It dates from 1960 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Moonlight on elderflower, the garden, Shoreham is a 1960 watercolour by Franklin White, depicting a nocturnal garden scene in Shoreham, characterized by soft, gentle hues.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a serene night garden filled with clustered white elderflowers, surrounded by trees, under the illuminating effect of moonlight, conveying a sense of peacefulness and nocturnal beauty.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the work leverages the medium's inherent transparency to achieve a soft, glowing effect, particularly on the elderflowers, enhancing the overall calm ambiance.
History & Provenance
Created in 1960, the work bears White's signature on the reverse and an inscribed title by another hand, though detailed provenance history is not provided in available sources.
Context
While specific contextual influences are not detailed, the piece reflects a broader tradition of capturing nocturnal serenity in British watercolour painting of the mid-20th century.
Legacy
The painting's appeal lies in its tranquil depiction of a moonlit garden, potentially drawing interest from those who appreciate Franklin White's oeuvre or similar nocturnal watercolour scenes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Franklin Marshall Matthews White is a Canadian public health scientist focused on capacity building for international and global education, research and development.
In the Woods
The edge of the lake
Memories of Fountainebleau in the Rain (Souvenir de Fountainebleau (Effet de pluie))
Bois de la charbonnière
Moonlit Landscape with Tree at the Right
Woods in the Park near Monza
The Reader: The Lecture under the Trees
Wooded Landscape
A country road leading towards a church
An Old Willow by a Stream
Untitled
Landscape (Paysage)