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A blot-lake with boat, surrounded by trees

1750–86
Not on view
This view of a lake with bushes and trees in the foreground and a low horizon in the distance is an example of what Alexander Cozens called an ink blot. The artist began with a vague pictorial idea in his mind and then quickly dashed and smudged black ink onto a sheet of paper with a thick brush. The overall composition was intended before the blot was begun, but the details were meant to rely on the swift and tendentially accidental movement of the hand and the brush. A blot made this way was to be reworked into a more carefully drawn landscape. The purpose of this technique was to stimulate the imagination of the artist in composing imaginary landscapes. Cozens described the blotting technique in his two publications "An Essay to Facilitate the Inventing of Landskips, Intended for Students in the Art" (1759) and "A New Method of Assisting the Invention in Drawing Original Compositions of Landscape" (1786).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: A blot-lake with boat, surrounded by trees
  • Artist: Alexander Cozens (British, Russia 1717–1786 London)
  • Date: 1750–86
  • Medium: Graphite, brush and black ink
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 6 5/16 × 8 3/16 in. (16 × 20.8 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1930
  • Object Number: 30.49.9
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

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Sycamore, Thorn, Walnut and Willow (from The Shape, Skeleton and Foliage of Thirty two Species of Trees. For the Use of Painting and Drawing)
Alexander Cozens
1771
Pollard-Willow, Weeping-Willow, Pollard Weeping-Willow and Yew (from The Shape, Skeleton and Foliage of Thirty two Species of Trees. For the Use of Painting and Drawing)
Alexander Cozens
1771
Elder, Larch-Fir, Scotch-Fir and Spruce or Norway Fir (from The Shape, Skeleton and Foliage of Thirty two Species of Trees. For the Use of Painting and Drawing)
Alexander Cozens
1771
Lime, Holly, Laburnum and Laurel (from The Shape, Skeleton and Foliage of Thirty two Species of Trees. For the Use of Painting and Drawing)
Alexander Cozens
1771
Oak, Pollard-Oak, Palm and Italian Pine (from The Shape, Skeleton and Foliage of Thirty two Species of Trees. For the Use of Painting and Drawing)
Alexander Cozens
1771

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