The Combat
Drawing
1910 (made)
1910 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This drawing depicts a dramatic nightmare battle between an angel and a devil. The mysteries associated with the night fascinated the British artist Paul Nash (1889-1946). He explored the notion that sometimes only the trees witnessed events that took place after dark.
In an accompanying poem Nash describes this scene.
‘A place of gibbet-shapen trees and black abyss
Where gaunt hills brooded dark and evil
Girdled by dense wet woods and rushing streams
A dread place seen only in dreams
Of which there is no history but this
That on yon' stony tor
An angel fought a devil.’
In an accompanying poem Nash describes this scene.
‘A place of gibbet-shapen trees and black abyss
Where gaunt hills brooded dark and evil
Girdled by dense wet woods and rushing streams
A dread place seen only in dreams
Of which there is no history but this
That on yon' stony tor
An angel fought a devil.’
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
|
| Materials and techniques | Pen, ink and wash |
| Brief description | Drawing, The Combat, by Paul Nash, pencil, ink and wash, 1910. |
| Physical description | Pencil, ink and wash drawing of a male figure fighting a bird-like creature on the top of a hill. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'P. N.' (Signed with monogram) |
| Credit line | Given by the Paul and Margaret Nash Trust, in accordance with the wishes of Margaret Nash |
| Object history | This drawing was formerly entitled 'Angel and Devil '. See Margot Eastes, Paul Nash, 1948, p.50; Paul Nash, Outline, 1949, repr. p.64; Anthony Bertram, Paul Nash, 1955, p.61, 62, 280, 319. It was exhibited at the Oxford Arts Club, 1931 (No.11). It was exhibited at the Oxford Arts Club, 1931 (No.11). |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This drawing depicts a dramatic nightmare battle between an angel and a devil. The mysteries associated with the night fascinated the British artist Paul Nash (1889-1946). He explored the notion that sometimes only the trees witnessed events that took place after dark. In an accompanying poem Nash describes this scene. ‘A place of gibbet-shapen trees and black abyss Where gaunt hills brooded dark and evil Girdled by dense wet woods and rushing streams A dread place seen only in dreams Of which there is no history but this That on yon' stony tor An angel fought a devil.’ |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Other number | No.11 (Oxford Arts Club, 1931) - Exhibition number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | P.16-1962 |
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| Record created | June 28, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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