Copse of Trees on a Riverbank (from Sketchbook) 1857 - 1867

This is "Copse of Trees on a Riverbank," a pencil drawing by Thomas Hewes Hinckley. The drawing offers a compelling study in tonal contrast and composition. The copse is built up of clustered trees on a small area of land that dominate the upper left, while the blank space of the riverbank fills the right. Hinckley’s approach is remarkable for its balance between detailed rendering and suggestive form. The mass of foliage is constructed through intricate networks of shading, giving the trees a palpable sense of volume. Below the trees, the riverbank is rendered with more sparse lines. This contrast encourages the viewer's eye to linger on the complexity of the foliage. The composition’s asymmetry invites a reading that sees the landscape not as a static scene but as a dynamic interaction between natural forms and the artist's mark. The detailed rendering of the copse set against the relative openness of the riverbank demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of spatial relationships, challenging our perception and understanding of space.