A Fir Tree (1868)
This beautiful sketch reveals Butler’s excellent draftsmanship and attention to detail, which enhances many of his later works. His approach to his subject here is thought to have been influenced by his reading of John Ruskin’s The Elements of Drawing (1857).
Art has no end in view save the emphasizing and recording in the most effective way some strongly felt interest or affection. Where either interest, or desire to record with good effect is wanting, there is but sham art, or none at all: where both these are fully present, no matter how rudely and inarticulately, there is great art. – Samuel Butler, Notebooks