Luke Fildes, R. A., Painting His Picture 'The Doctor'

Reginald Cleaver

c. 1891

Source: Thomson, p. 12

Fildes' The Doctor

Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham

[This image may be used without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose.]

According to Thomson, this drawing

by Mr. Reginald Cleaver, gives a fair idea of the artist's methods of study for this picture ["The Doctor"]. The large canvas on the easel is painted on without a mahl-stick to rest the hand. In the background is seen the half-cottage the artist built to assist him in the realisation of the surroundings and of the play of light and shade on the figures.

Mr. Fildes made very few studies for this picture, although he sketched many cottages, both English and Scottish, before he decided the interior. In north-east Scotland — in Moray — he made drawings from various peasant dwellings, but the room painted he never saw in actual completeness. [Thomson, p. 12; added by PVA]

Bibliography

Thomson, David Croal. The Art Annual, 1895: The Life and Work of Luke Fildes, R. A. With numerous illustrations. London: The Art Journal Office (294, City Road, and 26, Ivy Lane), Christmas 1895.

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Last modified 15 March 2006