Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Frederick Golden Short died in 1936; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2006.
In context
A Distant Forest Scene — Frederick Golden Short
The original measures 28 × 53 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 73 at death.
Painted when the artist was 28. The artist lived to 73. 1 of the 12 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Frederick Golden Short (1863–1936) ▲ this work, 1891 every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1895 Main working years: 1895–1900 Late works: from 1900
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/frederick-golden-short-a-distant-forest-scene-AQV98P-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Walnut #805924
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 14 works by this artist, of which 4 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 2 of them, with 25.0% of that attention (100 visits). The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
About this artwork
A Distant Forest Scene — Frederick Golden Short
The painting A Distant Forest Scene by Frederick Golden Short is a beautiful depiction of a pastoral scene, showcasing the artist's skill in capturing the serenity of nature. Created in 1891, this oil on canvas piece measures 28 x 53 cm and is currently housed at the Southampton City Art Gallery in the United Kingdom.
Frederick Golden Short's style is characterized by his use of soft brushstrokes and muted colors, which creates a sense of calmness and tranquility in his paintings. In A Distant Forest Scene, the artist employs these techniques to convey the peaceful atmosphere of the forest, with the sheep grazing in the distance and the clouds drifting lazily across the sky. The painting's composition is well-balanced, with the trees and hills forming a sense of depth and perspective. Key Features of the painting include:
The use of warm colors to create a sense of comfort and relaxation
The depiction of sheep and a dog in the distance, adding a sense of life and movement to the scene
The artist's attention to detail in capturing the textures of the trees and foliage
For more information on Frederick Golden Short's works, visit /art/list/?Filter=AQV98P-Frederick-Golden-Short-A-Distant-Forest-Scene or explore other paintings by the artist, such as New Forest, at /art/list/?Filter=AQV98V-Frederick-Golden-Short-New-Forest.
The Musée du Berry in Bourges, France, also features an impressive collection of artworks, including pieces by various artists. To learn more about the museum and its collections, visit /art/list/?Filter=A@D3APQK-The-Museum-Musee-du-Berry-(Bourges-France).
Artist and museum
Frederick Golden Short (1863-1936) wasn't merely a painter; he was an observer, a chronicler of a vanishing world. Born in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, nestled within the heart of the New Forest National Park, his life and art were inextricably linked to this ancient landscape – a place that profoundly shaped his vision and became the enduring subject of his canvases. Short’s work transcends simple depiction; it's an attempt to capture the very essence of the forest, its light, its atmosphere, and the subtle shifts in color that define its moods. He wasn’t interested in grand vistas or dramatic events, but rather in the quiet beauty of everyday moments – a dappled sunbeam through the trees, the texture of moss-covered bark, the distant silhouette of hills against the horizon.
His early life instilled within him a deep appreciation for nature and a keen eye for detail. Growing up so intimately connected to the New Forest fostered an understanding of its rhythms and secrets that would inform his artistic practice throughout his career. This connection is evident in his meticulous observation, his ability to render textures with astonishing accuracy, and his preference for muted, earthy tones that evoke the forest’s atmosphere. Short's formal training included studies at the Royal Academy of Arts and the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, providing him with a solid foundation in traditional techniques but never eclipsing his innate artistic sensibility.
Short’s technique is characterized by a remarkable sensitivity to light and texture. He employed oil paints with a deliberate slowness, building up layers of color to create a sense of depth and luminosity. His brushstrokes are often loose and expressive, yet always controlled, conveying both the physicality of the landscape and its ethereal quality. He frequently worked en plein air, directly observing and painting from nature, which allowed him to capture the fleeting effects of light and shadow with unparalleled immediacy. A key element in his work is his masterful use of color – he rarely relied on bright, saturated hues, instead favoring a palette of browns, greens, greys, and ochres that perfectly mirrored the muted tones of the New Forest.
Consider “Autumn” (1898), a quintessential example of Short’s style. The painting isn't simply a representation of falling leaves; it’s an evocation of the season’s melancholy beauty, rendered through subtle shifts in color and texture. Similarly, "Landscape" (1912) captures the essence of a coastal harbor scene with a remarkable sense of atmosphere – the hazy light, the muted colors, and the suggestion of movement all contribute to its evocative power. His later works, such as “A Distant Forest Scene,” demonstrate an increasing focus on capturing the atmospheric perspective of the landscape, using color and value to create a sense of depth and distance.
Short’s work is firmly rooted in the Pre-Raphaelite tradition, though he developed his own distinctive style. Like the Pre-Raphaelites, he was deeply influenced by Romanticism and sought to capture the beauty and sublimity of nature. However, unlike the more overtly emotional and symbolic works of the Pre-Raphaelites, Short’s paintings are characterized by a quiet restraint and an understated elegance. He shared with them a fascination for detail and a commitment to portraying the natural world with accuracy and sensitivity.
Furthermore, his work reflects the broader artistic trends of the late 19th and early 20th centuries – the rise of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, which emphasized capturing fleeting moments of light and color. While Short never fully embraced these movements, he undoubtedly drew inspiration from them, incorporating elements of their techniques into his own practice. The influence of photography is also noticeable in his careful observation and attention to detail.
Frederick Golden Short’s paintings are more than just beautiful landscapes; they offer a valuable glimpse into the changing relationship between humans and nature. His work reminds us of the importance of preserving these wild spaces and appreciating their beauty. Short's dedication to capturing the essence of the New Forest has secured his place as one of the most important landscape painters of his time, and his paintings continue to resonate with viewers today.
His art is now held in collections across the United Kingdom, including Astley Hall Museum and Art Gallery, Southampton City Art Gallery, and Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. Short’s legacy extends beyond his artistic achievements; he was also a keen photographer, documenting the New Forest through a series of evocative images that further enhanced our understanding of this remarkable landscape. His work serves as a testament to the power of art to capture beauty, evoke emotion, and connect us to the natural world.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/frederick-golden-short-a-distant-forest-scene-AQV98P-en/
Look closely
A Distant Forest Scene — Frederick Golden Short
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
The color identity of "A Distant Forest Scene" by Frederick Golden Short: an earthy palette, dominated by walnut (#805924).
The recorded values for "A Distant Forest Scene" by Frederick Golden Short are: brilliant brightness, bright balance luminance.
"A Distant Forest Scene" dates from 1891. The date places the work within Frederick Golden Short's career and its era.