John `Warwick’ Smith

7. Near Sorento

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, ink and watercolour on paper
Dimensions: Support: 168 × 241 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996
Reference: T08494

Technique and condition

The image is painted in watercolour applied over a pencil underdrawing on heavy, laid paper. Detail has been added in pen and ink, figures and blocks of shadow created using brush and ink, and small spots of highlight in gouache. 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. Uneven sizing, or a breakdown in the size may have caused the slight mottled effect of the watercolour. 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
October 1997