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Subject Composition

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Notes

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Four women dressed in colourful Renaissance-style costumes are shown standing below what may be a vine. On the reverse of the panel is another image of a standing woman. The exact subject of this picture has not been identified. This is not surprising, since in Monticelli's late career his technique had evolved to the point where his subject matter was subsidiary to colour and surface texture.Comparison with other works executed by Monticelli between 1877 and 1880, such as Subject Composition, which is also in the National Gallery's collection, allows us to date the picture to the late 1870s. Like the latter picture, this one is very thickly painted: up to five layers of paint can be detected, and few areas of the panel are left uncovered.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Subject Composition

Date

probably 1870-86

Medium

Oil on wood, probably mahogany

Measurements

H 19.1 x W 42.5 cm

Accession number

NG5010

Acquisition method

Presented as part of the 'Harry Wearne Collection of Twelve Paintings by Monticelli' to the Tate Gallery, 1939; transferred, 1956

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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