Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire
ca. 1801
Thomas Girtin captures the haunting beauty of Bolton Abbey's ruins in this delicate sketch from around 1801. Notice how nature is reclaiming the space—trees and bushes sprout right through the soaring Gothic arches where monks once prayed. This piece is a perfect example of Romanticism, a movement that obsessed over the 'picturesque' decay of old buildings. Girtin was actually a childhood friend and fierce rival of the famous J.M.W. Turner; sadly, Girtin died at just 27, leaving behind a legacy of incredibly atmospheric landscapes that often make you wonder what he could have achieved if he'd lived longer.
Views: 1