John `Warwick’ Smith

20. Otrano, Bay of Salerno

1778–9

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment

Artist: John `Warwick’ Smith 1749–1831
Medium: Graphite and watercolour on paper
Dimensions: Support: 174 x 320 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996
Reference: T08507

Technique and condition

The image is painted in watercolour on heavy, laid paper which is adhered to the original artist's ruled pasteboard mount. 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 paper before use, are contemporary with the work. The paint is applied over a pencil underdrawing with pen and ink overdrawing. The work is in good condition.

On acquisition the work was removed from its four-ply window mount, and the white paper tape and residue adhesive removed. The recto margins of the artist's mount were gently surface cleaned. It was pressed before being re-hinged into a triple mount of white museum board.

Shulla Jaques
November 1997