Rhodes, Church of Saint Nicholas

Maker William James Müller (British, 1812-1845)

Additional Title(s)

Rhodes, Church of St. Nicholas

ClassificationsDRAWINGS

Date1844

Mediumwatercolor over traces of graphite on [cold-pressed] paper

Dimensions16 5/8 × 13 7/8 in. (42.2 × 35.2 cm.)

SignedSignature; with initials inscribed and dated: Church of St. Nicola/ Rhodes 1844 W.M. March 4th

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Gilbert Davis Collection

Status

Not on view

Label TextThis watercolor exhibits the confident handling and broad washes of color for which Müller was well known. The artist had spent three months in the Eastern Mediterranean, and by the time he reached the Greek island of Rhodes, he had run out of several colors, including cobalt, which may explain the muted tones of this example. Despite the lack of certain pigments, this drawing reveals Müller’s understanding of watercolor’s ability to capture the transitory effects of light. Feathery touches of transparent colors mimic rippling on the water’s surface (2022).

Object number59.55.944

Terms