Study of a tree trunk (1991)

"Study of a tree trunk" (1991) is a work by Edwin Austin Abbey. Context for 1991: After 1945 the centre of Western art activity shifted to New York, where Abstract Expressionism was followed by Pop art, Minimalism, and Conceptual art. The range of materials widened to include acrylic paint, screen printing, and mixed media. Drawings in brief: Because line carries so much of the effect, drawings tend to reward close looking at the quality of the mark. Artists have long used drawings to plan paintings, sculptures, and buildings, so a sketch can show how an idea developed. It is listed in the Drawings collection. The image is in landscape orientation.

Everything for "Study of a tree trunk" arrives digitally: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI. Once payment is confirmed, an email brings the download link, and from there you decide how to print it, whether at home, at a print shop, or through an online service. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Matching the frame to the image proportions avoids cropping. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. 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.

American, 1852–1911

If you like the visual language of Edwin Austin Abbey, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.