Artwork
Gartasse
Gartasse is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Frederick Catherwood. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Gartasse is a pencil drawing created by Frederick Catherwood during a Nile expedition from December 1823 to June 1824. The work depicts a building with tall, slender columns featuring intricate carvings, rendered in black and white with varied shading.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of Gartasse appears to be an ancient temple or palace, highlighting Catherwood's focus on documenting architectural relics during the expedition. The drawing's emphasis on detail suggests an effort to accurately record the structure's design.
Technique & Style
Characterized by precise perspective and tentative linework, Gartasse may have been executed with a camera lucida. The style blends meticulousness with a sense of sketchiness, potentially reflecting the challenges of on-site documentation.
History & Provenance
Created during Catherwood's Nile expedition with companions including Henry Westcar, the drawing's authorship is primarily attributed to Catherwood, though some expedition drawings are credited to Westcar. Gartasse was later acquired by Rodney Searight from B. Weinreb Ltd. around 1966.
Context
Part of an early British architectural documentation effort in Upper Egypt and Nubia, Gartasse contributes to a broader project of detailed temple recording, marking an significant moment in the historical documentation of these regions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederick Catherwood was an English artist, architect and explorer, best remembered for his meticulously detailed drawings of the ruins of the Maya civilization.
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