John `Warwick’ Smith

3. The Arco Felice

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
Part of: Album of Views in Italy
Medium: Graphite and watercolour on paper
Dimensions: Support: 189 × 257 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996
Reference: T08490

Technique and condition

The image is painted in watercolour applied over a pencil underdrawing on a 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 support before use but could also be formed during the papermaking process (probably the rope mark from drying), are contemporary with the work. Uneven sizing, or a breakdown in the size may have caused the mottled effect of the watercolour. Apart from an area of abrasion caused by the artist to allow for an alteration, 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