Studies & Designs: Oblique View of an Italian House with tall…

Studies & Designs: Oblique View of an Italian House with tall…
Studies & Designs: Oblique View of an Italian House with tall…
Studies & Designs: Oblique View of an Italian House with tall…
The Trustees of the British Museum
title=Credit line
Artist
John Whessell (c.1760-1806) after Wilson
Title
Studies & Designs: Oblique View of an Italian House with tall Chimney, attached Archway, Travellers and Fisherman
Date
Published 1811
Medium
Soft-ground etching, with etching
Dimensions
Metric: 155 x 209 mm
Imperial: 6 1/8 x 8 1/8 in.
Accession Number
1863,1114.247
Wilson Online Reference
E60/12
Description
Oblique view of an Italian house with tall chimney, impressive portico and, to the right, an attached archway giving onto a street or yard and casting a strong shadow. Two resting figures are silhouetted against the opening, one sitting and the other standing, bearing a staff or rod on his shoulder. On the left two figures with staffs perhaps pilgrims, are walking across a bridge over a river towards an elevated cross. Another figure, probably a fisherman, appears below the bridge. In the far distance a mountain is visible. All within an etched rectangular border.
Provenance
Bought from Samuel & Sons, 1863
Signature/inscription
Lettered below the image 'Wilson del. | Whessell Sc.'
Related Drawings
D53/11 Studies and Designs done in Rome in the Year 1752, p. 11, Victoria & Albert Museum, London
Versions
See 'Links' tab
Critical commentary
From a set of small soft-ground etchings by Whessell at the British Museum ( E60/1- E60/44). These were made after Wilson's drawings in the sketchbook of the same title at the Victoria & Albert Museum (D53-D53/81). The present one is taken from p. 11 (D53/11). In 1811 the etchings were published by the Oxford-based publisher, Robert Archer in more than one format - this one with an introduction and list of subscribers.
Bibliography
Archer 1811, p. 20
Updated by Compiler
2017-09-29 00:00:00