Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire
Watercolour
1798 (painted)
1798 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Thomas Girtin (1775-1802) achieved much as an artist during his short life. Like so many painters of the ‘Romantic’ period, he often chose to depict ruined abbeys and castles. Here he draws the architecture of the abbey in an accurate but lively manner. The figure examining the building on the right introduces a human element.
Monks of the Cistercian order founded the monastery of Rievaulx in the 12th century. The Cistercians chose isolated sites close to water to carry out their life of prayer and work. Rievaulx fell into ruin after Henry VIII (ruled 1509-1547) closed down the monasteries.
Monks of the Cistercian order founded the monastery of Rievaulx in the 12th century. The Cistercians chose isolated sites close to water to carry out their life of prayer and work. Rievaulx fell into ruin after Henry VIII (ruled 1509-1547) closed down the monasteries.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Watercolour and graphite pencil, with some bodycolour, on paper |
| Brief description | Thomas Girtin (1775-1802), Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire', 1798, watercolour |
| Physical description | Watercolour of the exterior of Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | Probably exhibited at the Royal Academy annual exhibition in 1798, no. 493. A reviewer of the RA’s 1798 exhibition criticised the ‘wildness’ and ‘extreme slovenliness’ of this drawing. Although ‘drawn with considerable spirit and ability’, it lacked ‘that architectural truth which such scenes indispensably require’. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Places depicted | |
| Summary | Thomas Girtin (1775-1802) achieved much as an artist during his short life. Like so many painters of the ‘Romantic’ period, he often chose to depict ruined abbeys and castles. Here he draws the architecture of the abbey in an accurate but lively manner. The figure examining the building on the right introduces a human element. Monks of the Cistercian order founded the monastery of Rievaulx in the 12th century. The Cistercians chose isolated sites close to water to carry out their life of prayer and work. Rievaulx fell into ruin after Henry VIII (ruled 1509-1547) closed down the monasteries. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FA.499 |
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| Record created | February 12, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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