Finchley Common

Linnell went back and dated many of his drawings later on in his career, hence the uncertainty of the exact date of this study. The technique of the present drawing: black chalk with white highlights on blue grey paper, is similar to landscape studies by Linnell of 1810-1811. At this time he was frequently drawn to the outskirts of London, to places such as Bayswater, Paddington, Primrose Hill and Hampstead, not far from Finchley Common, which at this date, were almost entirely rural.
See the catalogue for the exhibition, K. Crouan, John Linnell, Truth to Nature, a Centennial Exhibition, 8-20 November 1982, Martyn Gregory Gallery, nos. 20-23.