Study of Sorrel, Cow Parsley and Willow Saplings

This is one of a group of four oil studies which can be traced directly back to the artist and show him treating oil like watercolour for a sketch from nature. The artist kept these studies in his studio, and used them as aides-memoire for details in his paintings for the rest of his career. This is the only one of the group of four to be on paper ( the other three are on millboard), and as such it is a particularly appropriate acquisition for the Whitworth, which is renowned for its collection of works on paper. One oil from the group was acquired by the Tate Gallery in 1983 and another is in the Huntington Library, San Marino, California.