Basle 1833

This is ‘Basle,’ made by Samuel Prout in the 19th century with graphite and watercolor on paper. Look closely, and you can see how Prout has built this city scene from a collection of marks. The graphite provides the underlying structure, with delicate lines describing the architecture and the figures populating the square. Then, washes of watercolor add depth and atmosphere, subtly defining the forms and creating a sense of light and shadow. Prout was celebrated in his day for his ability to capture the picturesque qualities of European cities. But it's worth considering how the rise of commercial printmaking allowed artists like Prout to reach a broader audience. While the original drawings were unique works, they could be reproduced and distributed widely as prints, fueling a growing market for images of travel and tourism. This changed the traditional role of the artist, with drawings like this one sitting at the intersection of individual artistry and mass production.