Artwork

The Remains of a Roman Bridge near Tangiers, Morocco

The Remains of a Roman Bridge near Tangiers, Morocco, by Edward Angelo Goodall, watercolor, 1885
The Remains of a Roman Bridge near Tangiers, Morocco, by Edward Angelo Goodall, watercolor, 1885

The Remains of a Roman Bridge near Tangiers, Morocco is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Edward Angelo Goodall. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The Remains of a Roman Bridge near Tangiers, Morocco is a watercolour created by Edward Angelo Goodall in 1885, depicting a scene of ancient ruins in a Moroccan landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays the remnants of a Roman bridge, partially submerged in a river, surrounded by people, animals (likely sheep), and a desolate, rocky landscape with distant hills. The emphasis on the bridge's decay and the everyday activity around it may highlight the contrast between past grandeur and present simplicity.

Technique & Style

Goodall employed soft watercolour strokes to capture the interplay of light on the water and the weathered stone ruins, achieving a sense of serenity and highlighting the natural erosion of the ancient structure.

History & Provenance

Created in 1885, the watercolour was later acquired by Phillips on August 23, 1971, for £8, indicating a relatively modest value at the time of its sale.

Context

Comparing this work with Goodall's other landscapes (as suggested by his RWS affiliation, indicating membership in the Royal Watercolour Society) might reveal consistent themes or techniques in depicting foreign landscapes and ancient ruins.

Legacy

There is no provided information on the work's impact, exhibition history, or scholarly significance beyond its creation and sale, suggesting it may not be among the artist's most renowned pieces.

Artist & collection