RSW's Diary Comments

"Painted 1937 or 8. Pattern of hills, with shafts of sunlight through the clouds on them--- made from under the Beech tree in the Heath Pasture."

There are not a lot of photographs of Woodward because he didn't typically like his picture taken, however, there are a number of private pictures kept in his personal items which we are just now (May 2019) beginning to introduce, below are 3 of the pictures. Taken in Heath, we believe in 1937, shows RSW in various states of dress working on this very painting. They are a rare glimpse into the artist called a bit of a "Beau Brummell" by friends like Helen Patch...

Woodward painting the "Hills" shirtless
and turned towards the camera... Click on the pic to
see a side by side of edited color and original photo

Woodward painting the "Hills" in coat
and scarf... Click on the pic to
see a side by side of edited color and original photo

Woodward painting the "Hills" shirtless,
hands coated with paint... Click on the pic to
see a side by side of edited color and original photoh

... It is a truly rare look at Woodward, en plein aire, painting with his thermos of coffee next to him, disshelved and arms covered in paint under the Beech tree at the edge of the ledge. We do not know who the photographer was but he did note, humorously, on the back of one photograph, "I haven't any idea why I have trouser on! There must have been guest along that day..." We edited a color version of the painting into these old photos but you can click on any of the pics and you will get to see both side by side.

RobertStrongWoodward.com is very grateful to the current owner for gracious finding the time to take and send the beautiful photos.