William Henry Bartlett (1809-1854) - Pisa Cathedral, Italy

Bartlett's first trip to Italy came in 1834 and he spent several months here before extending his journey to the Holy Land. He made four further trips to the Middle East and most likely went via Italy on each voyage. It is difficult to date exactly when this sepia drawing was made but we know the earliest it could have been painted was 1834.
 
There is an engraving titled 'Bapistery, Cathedral and Leaning Tower Pisa' by Bartlett which is almost certainly from the same sketching tour. Our sepia drawing depicts the interior of Pisa cathedral. It is typical of the artist's skill in painting in this medium and is similar to a previous work we sold by him of the Bay of the Naples.
 
Medium: sepia watercolour on paper, 12.2 x 19.1cm, framed.
 
Provenance: Christie's 'English and Continental Watercolours and Drawings and English and Continental Pictures' Sale 16th October 1991, lot 109; Peter Cardiff Fine Art, 29 Stokenchurch Street, London (label verso).
 
Condition report: the picture is in very good condition for its age. There are a few bumps on the frame in the corners (see photos for example).