Castle of Ischia

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Castle of Ischia
Castle of Ischia
Castle of Ischia
Royal Academy of Arts, London
title=Credit line
Artist
James Gandon (1742-1823) after Wilson
Title
Castle of Ischia
Date
1776 (undated)
Medium
Etching
Dimensions
Metric: 157 x 235 mm
Imperial: 64 in. 3/16 x 9 1
Accession Number
05/4506
Wilson Online Reference
E40B
Description
Seascape with distant mountains and a castle on a massive rocky islet in the centre, accessed by a low bridge to land on the right. Two fishermen appear in the foreground with a figure in a boat on the left and another further out on the water.
Provenance
Acquired by 1802
Signature/inscription
Lettered below the image with title and production detail: 'R. Wilson del', 'Jas. Gandon sc.'
Subject
Ischia is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the city of Naples itself. It is the largest of the Phlegrean Islands. The original fortress was built on a rock near the island in 474 BC and in 1441 Alfonso V of Aragon connected the rock to the island with a stone bridge and fortified the walls against the raids of pirates. In Wilson's day about 2000 families lived on the islet, in addition to numerous religious, a bishop, prince and military garrison.
Versions
See 'Links' tab
Another impression is at the National Museum Wales, Cardiff (NMW A 5974)
Related Works by Other Artists
Francis Towne Castle of Ischia, watercolour, unlocated + 3 copies by Towne's pupils
Previous Cat/Ref Nos
PL003847
Bibliography
Edwards 1808, p. 88; T.J. Mulvany, The Life of James Gandon, Esq. 1846, facsimile reprint ed. M. Craig, 1969, pp. 191-92
More Information
Bound in a 19th century volume with Charles Hullmandel's lithographic 24 Views of Italy, 1818
Condition/Conservation
Some discoloured spotting
Updated by Compiler
2017-07-17 00:00:00