Focus on The Kensingtons at Laventie and explain the Composition.
Kennington painted the picture in a highly unconventional manner, painting in reverse on glass with the exterior layers applied first and the background last. This method, and Kennington's use of gold to pick out metallic details, gives the painting a particular clarity and luminosity. Whereas an oil painting on canvas will fade with time as the oils sink into the canvas, an oil on glass painting will largely retain its original brightness. Kennington claimed to have travelled some 500 miles while painting the picture in walking from the back of the glass to the front to check the composition.The style of the painting has been compared to the Pre-Raphaelites, Pieter Breughel, and religious icons in the Russian Orthodox tradition; and its composition bears resemblance to Uccellos Battle of San Romano.
Pieter Breughel Pre-Raphaelites Battle of San Romano Uccello Russian Orthodox reverse on glass