Object of the Day: An Antique Pastel Landscape

Several years ago, I purchased a group of small unframed drawings from the collection of an unknown artist. Many in the group are dated from the 1850’s-1890’s. They are all drawn by the same hand, but unsigned. This small landscape is one of my favorites.


It demonstrates the sort of brooding landscape which rose to prominence in late Nineteenth Century English paintings. Rendered in pastel, moody trees are silhouetted by an amber sky. In the distance, a placid pond reflects the horizon. Even after over a century, this work is crisp and free of smudges. I only wish I knew the name of the person who created this little masterpiece. However, there’s comfort in knowing that though he or she is nameless, a clear voice remains through these lovely works.