Christmas Eve: 'And there was no room for them in the inn'
About this artwork
In 1901 Melville embarked upon a major project that was to preoccupy him for the rest of his life. Working on a massive scale, he began a series of religious pictures that he referred to as ‘Christmas Carols’. This is one of a series of four large oil paintings showing scenes from the nativity, and although unfinished, this is the most complete of the set. Sadly this project was never to be completed, as Melville died from typhoid in August 1904, aged forty seven. Another in the series, 'Christmas Morning', also unfinished, is in Aberdeen Art Gallery.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Arthur Melville (1855 - 1904) Scottish
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title:Christmas Eve: 'And there was no room for them in the inn'
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date created:1900 - 1904
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:191.00 x 203.00 cm; Framed: 224.00 x 236.60 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased 1907
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accession number:NG 948
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gallery:
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
Arthur Melville
Arthur Melville
Melville's travels in Europe and the Middle East inspired his vibrant paintings in oil and watercolour. He developed a distinctive technique of watercolour painting, described as 'blottesque', using dabs of pigment on wet paper and blotting them with a sponge. Melville, born in Angus, studied...