Winter Stream

Artist Michael Ayrton (London, England, 1921 - 1975)

Date1945

Mediumoil on board

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 57.8 cm, Width: 83.3 cm
Frame: Height: 69.7 cm, Width: 94.9 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1952.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG002287

Keywords

About MeThis work dates from Ayrton's Neo-Romantic period, a term used to describe the art of John Minton, Graham Sutherland and John Piper during the 1940s. These artists share a tendency to introduce sharp, thrusting forms into the foreground of their landscapes.

Ayrton must have squatted on the opposite bank to gain view of the stream in spate, swollen by thawing snow and winter rains. Dead creepers and live roots trail in the water. The young willow tree on the right shows signs of burgeoning but the gnarled, many times pollarded stump can produce only one shoot, hinting at the Spring to come.

In this work Ayrton has taken advantage of the lack of foliage to study aspects of nature hidden at other seasons. He laid stress on the importance of drawing, especially exploratory drawing and he would have made several preparatory sketches for this picture.

More About Me

Collections Wall

At the age of 15 Michael Ayrton tried to enlist to fight in the Spanish Civil War on the side of the Republicans, but was rejected for being underage.

Exhibitions

Paradise Lost