Trees and Coppice

Artist Sir William Gillies (Haddington, Scotland, 1898 - 1973)

Date1928

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsHeight: 89 cm, Width: 124 cm
Frame Size: 102 × 135 × 7cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1994 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions.

LocationOn Display - Gallery 03

Object numberABDAG010829

Keywords

About MeIn this work, William Gillies has achieved a clarity of vision in which the features of the landscape are pared down to a minimum. The simplified forms are described in a variety of textures, in muted colours, with a subtle play of light and dark. The strong vertical and horizontal lines give the composition a surreal stillness and the viewer is drawn through the trees which frame the composition towards the dark, mysterious coppice on the horizon.

The formal qualities of 'Trees and Coppice' draw immediate comparison with 'Wood on the Downs' by Paul Nash (also Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums collections), which was painted the following year.

More About Me

Collections Wall

Landscape pared to a minimum with a surrealist stillness to the scene.

Exhibitions

Sir William Gillies and the Scottish Landscape