Last weeks chapter concentrated on the copying of an artists creation by another artist using a different medium to express that second image.  The second artists image is said to be ‘after’ the original artists but how close can one get without it being considered plagiarism.  I guess even today’s image is considered ‘after’ since it is a watercolour/gouache of an oil painting.

Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage
watercolour after JMW Turner @ 1830

Today, #JosephMallordWilliamTurner (1775-1851) is possibly Britain’s best known artist.  His works are sought after by collectors and galleries around the world.

The watercolour/gouache to the left is a very fine copy of the Turner oil painting which hangs in the Tate, London.  I call it a watercolour for although the paint for the most part does seem to have been applied by brush it seems to sit in layers and not soak into the paper or the other colours as would be expected but that is how gouache works.  Gouache paint is similar to watercolour but modified to make it opaque. A binding agent, usually gum arabic is present, just as in watercolour.  Gouache differs from watercolour in that the particles are larger, the ratio of pigment to water is much higher, and an additional, inert, white pigment such as chalk may also be present. This makes gouache heavier and more opaque, with greater reflective qualities

The title comes from Lord Byron’s poem #ChildeHarold’sPilgrimage.  ‘Childe’ is old English for the son of a nobleman.  #Byron was moved by the poignant and breathtaking beauty of Italy’s past.  Turner displayed his oil painting with these lines from Byron’s poem:

… and now, fair Italy!

Thou are the garden of the world…

Thy wreck a glory, and thy ruin graced

With an immaculate charm which cannot be defaced.

Not being a painter, I find myself in awe of the techniques used in this painting.  The lovely rust and brown colours used imbue this painting with warmth, the colours with life.

Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage 2

I love how the reflections have been created and the selective use of a bright blue to focus the eye on the people at the picnic.  The layering of colours in the darker shadowed earth and in the foliage of the tree is finely done indeed.

Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage 3

A truly fine gouache using superb techniques in it’s presentation.

Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage 4