North African man in travelling costume
Watercolour
ca. 1900-1910 (painted)
ca. 1900-1910 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This painting is rendered in a skilled `wet' watercolour style, suited to the exoticism of the costume. A difficult technique, with little room for error, it gives the feeling of spontaneity, although the brushwork is tightly controlled. Watercolours of exotic subjects such as this had been popular in Britain since the 18th century, but the Victorian period was the time of greatest demand. By the end of the 19th century, however, the rise of cheap photography and coloured photo-mechanical illustrations had reduced their popularity.
People
Collins was a painter of landscapes, costume, military and architectural subjects who exhibited widely in London. He also illustrated books, including his own published works on the cathedrals of Spain and Italy.
This painting is rendered in a skilled `wet' watercolour style, suited to the exoticism of the costume. A difficult technique, with little room for error, it gives the feeling of spontaneity, although the brushwork is tightly controlled. Watercolours of exotic subjects such as this had been popular in Britain since the 18th century, but the Victorian period was the time of greatest demand. By the end of the 19th century, however, the rise of cheap photography and coloured photo-mechanical illustrations had reduced their popularity.
People
Collins was a painter of landscapes, costume, military and architectural subjects who exhibited widely in London. He also illustrated books, including his own published works on the cathedrals of Spain and Italy.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | North African man in travelling costume (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Watercolour over pencil, heightened with white and gum, on stiff paper |
| Brief description | Watercolour, North African Man in travelling costume, about.1890-1910 by William Wiehe Collins RI |
| Physical description | Watercolour drawing |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Signed W Collins |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
The work of widely-travelled artists like William Collins inspired the imagination of people who had never travelled beyond Europe. The rich clothes and proud stance of the man suggest that he was an attendant in a wealthy household. His fez, patterned jacket and cloak are typical of those worn in Tunisia.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support, and the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Friends of the V&A and Shell International |
| Object history | According to Rodney Searight: - `Bt Bonhams (via Holder), June 1972, £20'. |
| Summary | Object Type This painting is rendered in a skilled `wet' watercolour style, suited to the exoticism of the costume. A difficult technique, with little room for error, it gives the feeling of spontaneity, although the brushwork is tightly controlled. Watercolours of exotic subjects such as this had been popular in Britain since the 18th century, but the Victorian period was the time of greatest demand. By the end of the 19th century, however, the rise of cheap photography and coloured photo-mechanical illustrations had reduced their popularity. People Collins was a painter of landscapes, costume, military and architectural subjects who exhibited widely in London. He also illustrated books, including his own published works on the cathedrals of Spain and Italy. |
| Bibliographic reference | Briony Llewellyn, `The Orient Observed' 1989 p.112 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | SD.240 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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