Artwork

Tarsus

Tarsus, by Antonio or Anton Schranz, watercolor, 1837
Tarsus, by Antonio or Anton Schranz, watercolor, 1837

Tarsus is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Antonio or Anton Schranz. It dates from 1837 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Tarsus is a watercolour by Antonio Schranz, created between December 1836 and September 1837, capturing a serene townscape during the artist's travels from Malta to Turkey.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a tranquil riverbank town, identified as Tarsus, with figures engaging in everyday activities amidst Ottoman-style architecture. The composition conveys a sense of peaceful observation of a foreign landscape.

Technique & Style

Schranz employed soft, light colours and gentle brushstrokes to evoke calmness. The fluffy yet dramatic cloud depiction aligns with the aesthetic tendencies of the period.

History & Provenance

Part of a series documenting Schranz's journey (likely with a patron), Tarsus is mounted on an inscribed card. Comparable works from this expedition are found in the Benaki Museum and a private Maltese collection.

Artist & collection

Artist

Antonio or Anton Schranz

Antonio Schranz made watercolours of Egyptian and Levantine sites in the 1830s–40s.