Thomas Hearne

Edinburgh Castle from Arthur’s Seat

1778

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment
Artist
Thomas Hearne 1744–1817
Medium
Ink, watercolour and gouache on paper
Dimensions
Support: 356 × 508 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Presented by Frederick John Nettlefold 1947
Reference
N05792

Display caption

Hearne was a member of the older generation of watercolour artists. His work was rooted in the traditions of topography – the careful study of particular places and buildings – but he adapted those conventions to modern taste.

This view was based on studies made on the spot in 1798. Hearne has heightened the hills at the back and altered the appearance of the city to make a more satisfying composition. The broken green and brown tones mark a break from the topographical tradition, where colour would be used simply to tint a drawing rather than for textural effect.

Gallery label, September 2004

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