Featured little watercolour help

hi all

found this little watercolour in a charity shop the other day for not very much

painting measures only 6 by 3 1/2 inches

was hoping someone can help with what is written

i took it out of the frame and there was more writing on the back

any help appreciated

 

That's so sweet. "Loggetta Ciampoli a Taormina" on the front. Here's the same scene in a c. 1890 photograph.

Debora

 

It is a scene in Taormina, Sicily is all I know. It might be from the old Casa Ciampoli before it became a hotel. https://lavillagiardininaxos.com/en/palazzo-ciampoli/

 

Here's a list of British government houses. With a bit of research, you should be able to find one with a "Mount" address.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_House

Debora

 

Brilliant, thanks deb

Very helpful as always

 

Thanks darkwing, that's a great help in dating it

 

Having a quick look on ebay brought up this one

Mine is just initials as a signature, but there are similarities

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130381865657?hash=item1e5b5d62b9:g:Q-sAAOxyW1NREp-Y

 

Oh, I think you've got it. They can bring a bit of money. And in the collection of the V&A I see.

Debora

 

Cool, thanks deb, wouldn't have found it without ya !

Always nice to find a listed artist painting, no matter what it's worth

The figures not fantastically done, but there was something about the buildings that I thought was well done

 

I suspect the genre scenes like yours have less collector interest than his architectural studies like this one in the V&A's collection.

Debora

 

Oh for sure, mine is small and more sketchy in comparison

Do love the colours he used though, that one's fantastic

 

Yes, his palette is exquisite. And he really captures the Mediterranean light.

Debora

 

Ah... "Mount Wise." That's Government House or Admiralty House as it's been known since 1934. Devonport, Plymouth, England.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiralty_House,_Mount_Wise

 

I see owner's name as "Loch." Lots of Lochs served England. You should be able to find one with connection to Mount Wise.

Debora

 

I wish every painting you found ended up like this

I've got the artists name, the exact location, the house in which it was hung and the owners name !!!!!!

Thanks deb, your a star

 

The sweet watercolor is similar to the Orientalist genre/style technique, IMHO. Being a scene from Italy, it does not technically qualify as Orientalist by definition.
https://blog.britishmuseum.org/an-introduction-to-orientalist-painting/

 

Interesting read, thanks Pat

I can see what you mean, although not strictly orientalist in location , it seems to fit in with period and movement style

 

not clear if those ruins were not the result of the Arab destruction of the old town in the 10th c. and left as is when the town was rebuilt in the 13th c..
beautiful place. Oscar Wilde, Goethe, D.H. Lawrence and fid were there.

 

So were Darkwing.. fell in love, could happily die there.