The Library, Sebastopol

1855-1856

James Robertson

Associated Names
James Robertson

Artist, British, 1813 - 1888

Felice Beato

Artist, British, born Venice, 1832 - 1909

The image depicts a scene featuring a faded, sepia-toned photograph of a stone structure. In the forefront, there is a circular tower with arched openings and sculptural reliefs. Behind it, there is a large building with classical elements like columns and pilasters. Some parts of the building show damage, with sections bricked up. Bare trees line a path next to the building, suggesting a stark scene. The sky is a washed-out hue. There is no defined horizon visible, giving prominence to the structures in the composition. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the texture and aged quality of the buildings, highlighting their historical decay and grandeur.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    albumen silver print

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Michael and Jane Wilson

  • Dimensions

    image: 22 × 27.3 cm (8 11/16 × 10 3/4 in.)
    mount: 32.5 × 40.8 cm (12 13/16 × 16 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.137.4.23

  • Volume Title

    Photographs of the Crimean War


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Paul M. Hertzmann, Inc., San Francisco); Michael and Jane Wilson, Wilson Centre for Photography, London, acquired 2001; gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

on mount, by unknown hand, top center in graphite: 1 {; bottom center in ink: [Arabic inscription]; on verso, top left in graphite: JR-0021

Wikidata ID

Q64155532

You may be interested in

Loading Results