Cape Spartell from the West

1669/1670

Wenceslaus Hollar

Associated Names
Wenceslaus Hollar

Artist, Bohemian, 1607 - 1677

The image shows a panoramic view of Cape Spartel from the west. The horizon line is low in the composition, where the sea meets the land. A mountainous ridge is visible on the horizon, gently sloping across the scene. The landscape is depicted with fine lines and soft brushstrokes, showcasing the texture and form of the land. Earth tones dominate the color palette, with hints of blues in the sea and sky. The sky is a light neutral shade, maintaining a serene atmosphere and directing attention to the land and sea.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink with watercolor over black chalk on two joined sheets of laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 10.1 x 62.8 cm (4 x 24 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1982.45.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Sir Bruce Ingram (Lugt Supp.1405a)

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1983

  • Graphics Survey Exhibition, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., May 1983.

1987

  • English Drawings and Watercolors, 1630-1850, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1987-1988, no cat.

Bibliography

1964

  • Springell, Francis Charles. "Unpublished drawings of Tangier by Wenceslaus Hollar" The Burlington Magazine v. 106 (February 1964): 69-74, fig.19.

1985

  • Kaufmann, Thomas Dacosta. "A Census of Drawings from the Holy Roman Empire, 1540-1680, in North American Collections" Central European History xviii, 1 (1985):4-13, 70-74, 89.

2017

  • Volrábová, Alena, translated by Linda Leffová. Wenceslaus Hollar, 1607-1677: Drawings, a catalogue raisonné. Prague, 2017: no. VI/12.

Inscriptions

upper center in brown ink: Cape Spartell, from the West, about, halfe League distance at Sea; points on drwg. labeled: Point of Gibraltar / Apes Hill / Bay o f Tangier; other hand(s) v//: 65 (circled) / 1 (circled) 2238

Wikidata ID

Q64635083

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