735. In an Orchard

Charles Shannon explored a limited number of subjects for his paintings, as he did for his lithographs. Street scenes were not among them, nor were seascapes. Many of his scenes are set in the bathroom, on the beach, or in an orchard. Not all of his works have survived and there are studies that can not be connected to any finished painting.

An orchard drawing can be found in the collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. It is not a study for 'The Apple Gatherers' (1900, Ashmolean Museum), 'The Romantic Landscape' (1904) or 'The Vintage' (1910), and is said to be a study for 'Autumn'.

Another study for 'Autumn' was sold at auction in November 2004 (Christie's, London). Actually, the leaf contained two drawings, a study for 'Autumn' (recto) and a study of a reclining figure (verso). The former was signed with initials and titled 'Autumn', pencil and brown wash, 39.5 x 21.5 cm.

Charles Shannon, study for 'Autumn'
[Christie's, London, 2004]

The catalogue description included the following:

This drawing is a study for Autumn (private collection), a large decorative painting consisting of three panels, each measuring 4 by 6 feet, that Shannon executed about 1911. The study relates to the third panel, a scene of harvesting, but in the painting the foremost girl has been changed to a young man holding a sickle.

Between this sketch and the final decorative panel, many other sketches will have followed, especially with such a major change. One of the drawings that is closer to the final stage is in the collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.

Charles Shannon, study for 'Autumn' (1913)
[Rijksmuseum Amsterdam: RP-T-1950-260]

However, the Rijksmuseum catalogue describes the drawings as being a sketch for 'the left panel of that name'. Confusing! I have never seen an image of these panels. 

This drawing in red, black and white chalk, 43.0 x 27.8 cm, is dated 1913. It depicts a woman embracing a man leaning against a tree with a sickle; behind them is a ladder and in the foreground a seated child. The title 'Autumn' is on the verso.

'Five Studies for "Autumn"', in pencil, pen sanguine and chalks, were sold after Shannon had died. See the Catalogue of Fine Paintings by Old Masters and Modern Drawings (London, Sotheby’s, 14 June 1939, p. 4, no. 13). These were sold for £5 5s to Gerald Reitlinger (1900-1978).

The Rijksmuseum acquired the drawing in 1950.