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…
National Museum Wales, Cardiff
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 on India laid paper
Dimensions
Metric: 105 x 150 mm
Imperial: 4 1/16 x 5 7/8 in.
Accession Number
NMW A 10966
Wilson Online Reference
E60/12A
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
Thomas Henry Thomas Bequest 1916
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 made after Wilson's drawings in a sketchbook 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.
Previous Cat/Ref Nos
16.182
Bibliography
Archer 1811, p. 20
Condition/Conservation
Proof state