Water Hath Proved the Smartest Grave
1932
Paul Nash created this eerie, surreal design for the frontispiece of a 1932 edition of Sir Thomas Browne's 'Hydriotaphia, Urne-Buriall.' The composition is a dreamlike collage of ancient urns and vessels floating in a fragmented landscape, with a cross-section of earth revealing layers of history. You can even see Nash's handwritten notes at the bottom detailing his color choices like 'Indian red mixed vermilion,' giving us a peek into his creative process. The word 'HYDRIOTAPHIA' anchors the piece, referencing Browne's meditation on death and burial customs, perfectly capturing Nash's fascination with the past and the mysterious.
- Technique
- ink and watercolor
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