Dimensions: support: 103 x 135 mm
Copyright: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: This delicate pencil drawing offers a glimpse of a fountain in the Villa Borghese, rendered by an artist from the British School. It is undated but full of charm. Editor: It has such a quiet, contemplative mood. The soft shading makes the fountain almost dreamlike, a memory fading at the edges. Curator: The artist's use of line and form is remarkable given the modest dimensions, only about 10 by 13 centimeters. Note the subtle perspective; it gives the fountain a real sense of depth. Editor: For me, the upward thrust of that central jet of water contrasts with the solidity of the stone basin. It’s the fleeting meeting the enduring. Curator: A lovely observation. It is a simple sketch, yet it holds so much potential energy. Editor: Yes. It’s the kind of piece that makes you want to wander and get lost in a beautiful garden. Curator: Precisely, and perhaps even find a fountain of your own.