William Bruce Ellis Ranken (Edinburgh, 1881 - 1941)
In a Turkish Garden, 1910
Watercolor on paper, 55 x 38 cm (21 5/8 x 14 15/16 in.)
This vertical watercolor painting invites us into a walled garden. The artwork is roughly divided into three horizontal areas—the ground at the bottom, the wall in the middle, and an area behind the wall at the top. However, there are strong vertical elements. A tall stone slab, which is oriented slightly to the right, dominates the left center of the painting. It appears to be part of a fountain with three curved and progressively larger water collecting areas at its base, which extends nearly to the bottom of the painting. The slab has narrow columns at either side, a candelabra-like design in the middle, and peaked top, which extends nearly to the top of the painting. To the left of the slab stand two thin trees and some greenery, and there are two tall green watering cans with long spouts on the ground. To the right of the slab there are plants at the base of the wall and one tree amidst greenery above the wall. The watercolor has free brushwork and warm tones, especially of green, brown, and pink. At the lower right is the inscription WBER 1910.
Macknight Room
Commentary
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