The image shows a view through a large architectural archway with figures engaged in various activities. The perspective is from a position close to the street level, looking towards the archway. The archway is the focal point due to its darkened interior and decorative detailing. The horizon is not distinct, as the architectural elements dominate the upper portion. The brushstroke technique is sketch-like with cross-hatching and vertical strokes, creating a textured appearance. The color palette is monochromatic, with shades of black and gray against a light background. Closest to us is a man sitting beside a street post, drawing the eye into the scene. Groups of people walk and gather in the distance, adding to the sense of an active urban environment.
Read the visual description

The image shows a view through a large architectural archway with figures engaged in various activities. The perspective is from a position close to the street level, looking towards the archway. The archway is the focal point due to its darkened interior and decorative detailing. The horizon is not distinct, as the architectural elements dominate the upper portion. The brushstroke technique is sketch-like with cross-hatching and vertical strokes, creating a textured appearance. The color palette is monochromatic, with shades of black and gray against a light background. Closest to us is a man sitting beside a street post, drawing the eye into the scene. Groups of people walk and gather in the distance, adding to the sense of an active urban environment.

National Gallery of Art · Print

A Spanish Holiday, Granada

Sidney Mackenzie Litten

Date
c. 1920s
Medium
etching in black on blue wove paper
Dimensions
plate: 30.32 × 22.54 cm (11 15/16 × 8 7/8 in.) sheet: 44.61 × 28.42 cm (17 9/16 × 11 3/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2015.19.1281
Credit line
Corcoran Collection (Bequest of Frank B. Bristow, 1968)
Time span
1901 to 1925
Department
CG-W

Subjects and terms

  • etching
  • architecture
  • British
  • Cityscape
  • Gate
  • Well
  • Granada
  • Women
  • Men
Provenance

Frank B. Bristow, Falls Church, Virginia; Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1968; acquired 2015 by the National Gallery of Art

Inscription

lower left in brown ink: SVII; lower left in graphite: S M Litten; lower left edge in graphite by unknown hand: a Spanish Holiday, Granada.

Marks

stamped lower right verso in black ink: F.B.B. [circled]

Watermarks

J Whatman

NGA object ID 182913. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.