topografische aquarellen uit de 18e eeuw: John Warwick Smith (1749 – 1831)
In de achttiende eeuw werden de laatste delen van de wereld in kaart gebracht en legde Engeland de basis voor een wereldrijk. In Londen had men niet alleen grote behoefte aan kaarten van de overzeese gebieden maar ook aan topografische landschappen. Fotografie bestond nog niet dus legden kunstenaars vast hoe het er in den vreemde uitzag. Zo kwam in de achttiende eeuw in Engeland de aquarelkunst tot bloei. In vergelijking met olieverf is waterverf gemakkelijk te hanteren en kan er snel mee gewerkt worden. Vandaag: John Warwick Smith (1749 – 1831)
The Lakes of Llanberis – from the Road from Carnarvon Going to Llanberis, Carnarvonshire, July 14, 1792
John Warwick Smith was born at Irthington, near Carlisle, Cumberland, the son of a gardener to the Gilpin family, and educated at St. Bees. The fortunate social connection allowed him to study art under the animal painter Sawrey Gilpin. Becoming known as a skilful topographical draughtsman, he was employed on Samuel Middiman‘s Select Views in Great Britain, and obtained the patronage of George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick, which enabled him to travel to Italy between 1776 and 1781. While there he met other British artists such as Francis Towne, Thomas Hearne and William Pars. He came to be known as “Warwick” or “Italian” Smith. In his subsequent works, which were largely views in Italy, he gradually abandoned the simple tinting to which watercolour work had previously been limited for a more effective mode of colouring, the novelty and beauty of which was much admired.
Bron: en.wikipedia.org
Bron: en.wikipedia.org
