A watercolour drawing of Peterborough Cathedral, showing the intricate decorative details, and a close, off-centre viewpoint from the west. A man is seen sitting on one of the column bases, and a group of three or four people are standing talking nearby.
Thomas Girtin (1775 – 1802), Peterborough Cathedral from the west front,

Peterborough Cathedral from the west front

Thomas Girtin

This drawing is one of six variations on the subject. Its studied precision reveals Girtin’s early training as a topographical watercolourist with Edward Dayes. The strong vertical accent, sound sense of perspective, and intricate decorative detail reflect Girtin’s experience as a draughtsman of architectural subjects. His use of the close, off-centre viewpoint and the way he fills the sheet with the whole edifice were influenced by the work of the well-known topographer Thomas Malton the younger (1748-1804). 

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