Quick Reference

Time Period:
Drawn in 1940.

Location:
Burnt Hill
Heath, Mass.

Medium:
Chalk Drawing

Type:
Landscape

Category:
Pastures, People & Livestock

Size:
22 x 29

Exhibited:
Unknown

Purchased:
Unknown

Provenance:
NA

Noteworthy:

Burnt Hill, Heath pasture and Beech Trees were RSW's most prolific painting subjects.

Related Links

Featured Artwork: From Heath in May

RSW's Diary Comments


None.



Additional Notes

Close up of the artwork's name from the drawing.
A close up of the artwork's name from the drawing.

Of the Beech Tree paintings we know of, this pastel painting is from a unique perspective. For one thing, the artist is closer to the tree than in most other paintings. Composition-wise, it is farther to the left than usual, placing the ledge rock in a central position, and yet it is not where one's eye is guided. To create this perspective Woodward would have to turn clockwise to the southeast facing more directly his Buckland Hills in the distance -- the focus of the painting. In fact, if you look closely at the hi-res version of the image you can see just a hint of the town of Charlemont, and the Deerfield River suggesting Woodward's positional was intentional. He wanted to be sitting where he could see over the ledge to the valley below.