Artwork
M. Chamberlains House. Catété - Rio de Janeiro
M. Chamberlains House. Catété - Rio de Janeiro is a graphite painting by 2nd Baronet Sir Henry Chamberlain. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Pinacoteca de São Paulo. Created in 1820, this graphite drawing depicts a white residence with a red‑tiled roof set amid verdant foliage.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1820, this graphite drawing depicts a white residence with a red‑tiled roof set amid verdant foliage. A dirt path and low fence lead the eye toward the house, while a solitary figure walks along the way. Behind the dwelling, a distant mountain range rises, its highest peak puncturing the sky.
Subject & Meaning
The composition records a domestic scene in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the contrast between the built environment and the surrounding tropical landscape. The tranquil atmosphere, suggested by the gentle shading and the quiet figure, conveys a sense of everyday life in an early‑19th‑century Brazilian city.
Technique & Style
Executed entirely in graphite, the work relies on fine hatching and subtle tonal variations to model form and convey depth. The artist’s handling of light and shadow produces a modest chiaroscuro effect, while the linear precision outlines architectural details and natural elements alike.
History & Provenance
Sir Henry Chamberlain, a British Army lieutenant serving in the Royal Artillery, produced the drawing during his 1819–20 stay in Rio de Janeiro. The piece forms part of a series documenting the city’s architecture and scenery, and it now belongs to the collection of the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo.
Artist & collection
Artist
2nd Baronet Sir Henry Chamberlain
Captain Sir Henry Chamberlain, 2nd Baronet (2 October 1796 – 8 September 1843) was a British Army officer of the Royal Artillery and an artist whose series of drawings of Brazil were well known in his time.
