Artwork
Bayeux Cathedral: View from the South-East
Bayeux Cathedral: View from the South-East is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist John Burgess. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Bayeux Cathedral: View from the South-East is a watercolour painting created by John Burgess in 1830, capturing the cathedral from a south-eastern perspective.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is Bayeux Cathedral, emphasized through its grand architectural details such as arched windows and towering spires, juxtaposed with everyday life in the foreground, where people and a horse-drawn cart occupy a narrow, cobblestone street lined with steep-roofed buildings.
Technique & Style
The watercolour is characterized by soft, sketchy qualities, suggesting a rapid execution. The artist employed a common 19th-century artistic approach by contrasting the detailed, looming cathedral with diminutive figures in the foreground.
History & Provenance
Created in 1830 by John Burgess, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
Reflective of 19th-century watercolour practices, the piece aligns with the era's interest in depicting daily life alongside monumental architecture.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Burgess worked in watercolour, painting scenes from France in the 1830s–1870s.
