Foundry at Canon, Herefordshire

1792

Not on view

Malchair traveled to Canon Bridge, Herefordshire, in July 1792 to make this atmospheric study of a working foundry (the location, date, and time are inscribed on the verso). Bold watercolor washes have been applied over freely sketched graphite lines to capture smoke and fire belching from a furnace at night, with buildings reflected in a bordering river. Born in Cologne, the artist had moved to Oxford in 1759 to work as a musician and drawing master. In the latter role he encouraged students to sketch from nature. The free execution of this work may have resulted, in part, from the artist’s worsening vision, but it also suggests admiration for the innovative watercolors of his contemporary John Robert Cozens.

Artwork Details

Title: Foundry at Canon, Herefordshire
Artist: John Baptist Malchair (British, Cologne 1731–1812 Oxford)
Date: 1792
Medium: Watercolor over graphite
Dimensions: 7-1/4 x 8-7/8 in. (18.4 x 22.5 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Gift of Thomas Williams, 1999
Object Number: 1999.178
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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