'Doing the Thing; and the Thing Done;' Doing it Somehow (1818)

This page presents "'Doing the Thing; and the Thing Done;' Doing it Somehow" (1818), created by Henry Thomas Alken. Historical background, 1818: The first half of the nineteenth century moved from Neoclassicism to Romanticism, which placed emotion, nature, and the sublime at the centre of painting. The invention of lithography around 1796 and its spread in these decades made printed images cheaper and more varied. It is listed in the Figurative collection. The image is in landscape orientation. Figurative, a short history: Over the centuries, painters have used the figure to express social standing, narrative, and emotion. Portraits, group scenes, studies of the nude, and pictures of daily life all belong to figurative art.

On onlly.art "'Doing the Thing; and the Thing Done;' Doing it Somehow" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

English, 1785–1851

If you like the visual language of Henry Thomas Alken, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.