Blue Afternoon, Aragon
Date made: c.1900-1933
Artist: Knox, Archibald
Description: A minimalist and relatively abstract watercolour by Archibald Knox (1864-1933) of an almost cloudless blue sky over fields and a distant group of trees on the hill line. Unlike most of his watercolour sketches which are untitled and unidentified views of the Manx landscape, Knox identified this as 'Blue afternoon at Aragon'.
Skyscapes, where the light and movement of cloud formations are the main focus of the painting were popular themes for Knox with the landscape or horizon only providing a narrow band at the base of the artwork. Knox's watercolour sketches can be seen as exercises in capturing the light and a single moment in time.
Archibald Knox (1864-1933) is internationally celebrated as a leading designer in the Art Nouveau movement. His intensely personal work as a watercolour artist is less well-known. He painted for himself and his paintings were rarely signed or sold. His watercolours capture the ever-changing nature of the Manx landscape, striving to capture the essence of form, colour and spirit of the Island.
Measurements: overall: 41 x 54 cm
Materials: watercolour on paper
Object name: painting
Collection: Art Collection
ID number: 1959-0058
Subject tags : #artgalleryplace