'[16] Paper Mills at Vietri', John `Warwick' Smith

Artwork details

Artist

John `Warwick' Smith (1749‑1831)

Title

[16] Paper Mills at Vietri

From Album of Views in Italy

Date 1778-9

MediumGraphite and watercolour on paper

Dimensionssupport: 218 x 319 mm

Collection

Tate

Acquisition Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996

Reference

T08503

View this artwork by appointment, at Tate Britain's Prints and Drawings Rooms

Technique and condition

The image is painted in watercolour applied over a pencil underdrawing with some details accented in pencil overdrawing, on a heavy, laid paper. Imperfections in the pulp give the support a slightly uneven surface. Wrinkles noticeable on the recto, which may be due to a thinner paper being adhered to the heavier paper before use, are contemporary with the work. There is a patch of severe abrasion on the recto of the support that has been painted over, which may have been caused by the artist rubbing out an initial application of paint. Uneven sizing, or a breakdown in the size may have caused the mottled effect of the watercolour, which is apparent in the upper half of the sheet… (read more)