Emerged in 1880’s in America, 
Tonalism was an artistic style focused on landscape forms 
with domination of dark/misty 
as well as neutral hues & subtle “easy on eyes” hues. 
 
Derived from the term “tonal”,
the Tonalism movement originated from French Barbizon school, 
whose focal point was “mood and shadow”.  
 
Further characterized by soft to blurred lines, 
the depiction of atmosphere & sense of movement.
 
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One of the major figures of the Tonalism movement 
was an American Irish artist John Francis Murphy 
(1853 - 1921). 
 
This oil on board Landscape with Figure painting was created by him in 1908. 
It’s signed and has an inscription “With Best Wishes to Miss May”. 
 
Dimensions: 29 cm x 44.5 cm 
 
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This painting is a prime example of the Tonalism, 
illustrating the landscape in a rural area 
with figure working in a field during the sunrise, 
with deep green, subtle blue & orangy red colours dominating. 
 
Framed & signed