Page 101 - Beholding Liberty!
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I.2.29
Frederick Williams (unidentified artist)
The temple of Apollo in Corinth, 19 September 1829
watercolour on paper, 25 x 39 cm
signed and dated: F.R Williams Sept.r 19.1829 (low centre) Hellenic Parliament Art Collection, inv. n. 497
WE HAVE NO CLUES for the creator of this very remarkable watercolour, apart from his signature (Fr.[ederick] Williams) and the exact date of its crafting, on 19 September 1829. It is obviously about the Brit- ish artist, from the great many European tourists that visited Greece in the beginning of 19th century, while a relevant piece of work – with aspect of the Aphaia Temple in Aegina (Hellenic Parliament Art Collection, inv. n. 498) – was also painted by himself in April 1829.
The painting quality of his work, with clarity and details, shows remarkable artistic skills. Williams places in the central position of his composition, the ancient monument with its Doric columns to be witnesses of its historical memory, framing it from more modern humble buildings, at the edge, while the numerous Greek human figures, with its “pric- turesque”, for the viewer, clothings, appropriated the surrounding space.
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