Study of Buildings (‘Study from Nature’) 1806

Curator: This is John Linnell's 'Study of Buildings', sometimes known as 'Study from Nature', currently residing in the Tate Collections. Editor: There's a real sense of decay here, wouldn't you agree? The structure seems to sag under its own weight. Curator: Observe how Linnell employs a limited palette, predominantly browns and grays, to articulate form. The composition utilizes the triangular shape of the roof to anchor the scene, creating a stable yet dynamic structure. Editor: The image evokes a strong feeling of impermanence. Buildings, especially in art, often symbolize stability, but here, that symbolism is subverted. The dilapidation reminds us that all things are temporary. Curator: Indeed, the texture, built up through layers of paint, gives a tangible sense of materiality, and its decay. Note the artist's interest in geometry, in pure shape, and volume. Editor: A potent reminder of the passage of time, and how even the most solid structures are subject to its relentless march. Curator: I think it succeeds as a study of spatial relations, and the play of light and shadow, and of volume, to a large degree.