The Well
Daniel Ridgway Knight
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
Like many Americans of his generation, Daniel Ridgway Knight sought his academic training in Paris, where he remained as an expatriate from 1873. The Well, which is typical of the sentimentalized peasant subjects that occupied French-trained Americans and pleased their audiences at home, demonstrates the detailed character of Knight’s early work. In keeping with the rigorous French academic method, he executed extensive preparatory subjects prior to undertaking the finished painting. After completing numerous delicate preliminary drawings, Knight transcribed the drawing to his canvas, carefully plotting the compositional lines and fine details that he would follow precisely with his brush. This “underdrawing,” beneath the paint layer, is visible with the use of infrared photography.
Caption
Daniel Ridgway Knight (American, 1839–1924). The Well, 1880. Oil on canvas, 39 5/16 x 28 15/16 in. (99.9 x 73.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William E. S. Griswold, 41.980.62. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
The Well
Date
1880
Medium
Oil on canvas
Classification
Dimensions
39 5/16 x 28 15/16 in. (99.9 x 73.5 cm)
Signatures
Signed lower left: "D. Ridgway Knight· / Paris 1880"
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William E. S. Griswold
Accession Number
41.980.62
Frequent Art Questions
What is this?
It's titled "The Well," and the artist is the American painter Daniel Ridgway Knight!Knight was American but he spent most of his career living and working in and around Paris.It reminds me of Bougereau.That's a good comparison! I can see what you mean. They both worked in an academic style (with traditional training), and they both painted peasants and other country "types," but in a somewhat idealized way.Knight had a country home outside Paris, and he built a small outdoor studio that was almost like a greenhouse. It was all glassed in, so that he could work "outside" most of the year!Can you tell me about this?
This work is titled "The Well" and the artist is American painter Daniel Ridgway Knight. Peasant life was a popular subject in French painting of the time, and the artist studied in France!These peasants were often portrayed in a kind of idealized way. Another fun fact: this artist actually had a country home outside Paris with an outdoor studio that was all glassed in so he could work "outside" most of the year.That's hilarious!Who painted this?
This is "The Well" by Daniel Ridgway Knight. It was painted 1880.Knight was American but he spent most of his career living and working in and around Paris. He had a country home outside Paris, and he built a small outdoor studio that was almost like a greenhouse. It was all glassed in, so that he could work "outside" most of the year!
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