French Street with a Medieval Turret, Samuel Prout
In the National Gallery of Art, DC.
The National Gallery’s page says this was done in brush and watercolor, as apparently does the artist’s inscription, but I would have assumed an initial drawing in pen and brown ink. Though it exists in that fascinating boundary between drawing and painting that watercolor often traverses, this feels much more like a drawing than a painting to me.
It’s hard to tell if some color has been lost since the early 19th century, but I love the subtle bits of color, particularly blue, within the otherwise largely monochromatic composition. I also love the atmospheric feeling of the background street, and wonderful touches like the stylish sign on the wine store.
The original is roughly 12×9 inches (30x22cm).
I peeked at http://www.christies.com/
And realised how amazing those British and Continental artist were.
In one of his paintings Prout also used bodycolour to highlight. What is his bodycolour?
Correction: How amazing those BRITISH & CONTINENTAL WATERCOLOURS & DRAWINGS are.
I found the answer in E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Body-colour (A).
Is a paint containing a body or consistency. In water-colours it is mixed with white lead and laid on thickly. 1
Basically, bodycolor is white gouache, often added to drawings or transparent watercolor to provide highlights, even if other opaque colors are not used.
What a little gem! ! !
In the 17th century a number of Dutch artists made what they accurately described as ‘pen-paintings.’ One such artist was Willem van de Velde the younger, famous for his seascapes, maritime depictions and naval battles. The technique shown here would seem to be an outgrowth of that tradition.