Autumn

In this painting by Newcombe, the transition into autumn unfolds as part of his four-seasons collection. Titled Autumn, this panel portrays the culmination of the agricultural year – the leaves falling and the branches gradually revealing their bare forms against the cool toned sky. Newcombe’s meticulous detail captures the essence of this seasonal shift as the landscape is bathed in autumnal hues.

While the foreground an old wooden plough stands prominently in the untamed corners of the field, its weathered surface telling tales of bygone seasons. Beyond, regimented farmlands stretch out, their neat rows created by the turning of a modern tractor. Overhead, crows fly, echoing the eerie forthcoming of the colder months and the passing of time.

Peter Newcombe

Newcombe (b.1943) was born in Blisworth, Northamptonshire. He studied illustration and etching at Northampton School of Art, where he won a travelling scholarship. His work first came to public attention in 1968 with a set of twelve large drawings illustrating ‘The Shepherds Calendar’ by John Clare, which were featured on BBC television.

In 1970 he was awarded a major art grant from the Elizabeth T. Greenshield Foundation in Canada. At this time he began exhibiting widely in London including at the Royal Academy, the Royal Society of British Artists, and the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour. In 1979 he designed a set of flower stamps for the Post Office.

The subject matter of Peter Newcombe’s paintings is gathered almost entirely from the area of Northamptonshire in which he lives. His paintings are intense studies of landscape and flora in all seasons, and he has a particular interest in old buildings and wild flowers.

Museums

Northampton Art Gallery
Furneaux Gallery
Royal Academy
Edwin Pollard Gallery