William Cowen Old Port & Citadel Fortress of Bastia, Corsica

An original 1840 watercolour painting, William Cowen, Old Port & Citadel Fortress of Bastia, Corsica.

This delightful topographical watercolour shows the medieval citadel fortress at Bastia in North-East Corsica, built on a rocky promontory overlooking the old port. William Cowen (1791–1864) was an English watercolour artist, particularly associated with Corsica, after he visited the island in 1840. Cowen was commissioned to paint scenes from Napoleon’s life, resulting in a series of illustrations in the 1848 publication 'Six Weeks in Corsica. Illustrated with Fourteen Highly Finished Etchings'. This and another publication by Robert Benson, were the earliest post-Napoleonic War publications devoted to the island. Cowen appraised the island with much enthusiasm, writing, ‘It is strange that this country has been so long neglected by the sketching tourist—an island full of sublime scenery!' His views fed into a newly romantic perception of the island—associated with picturesque scenery and heroic national character—that would near enough persist into the 21st century.

On paper laid down on backing card.