Thomas Hartley Cromek (1809-1873)

Whilst in Athens Cromek noted in his diary that he was 'delighted by everything I saw at Athens: the colour of the buildings being much richer, and less dark that that of the ruins in Rome. As specimens of architecture, they are universally considered perfect. I certainly worked very hard when able, and I am astonished at the number of sketches, large and small which I made in the course of a fortnight or very little more' (T. Cromek, Reminiscences at Home and Abroad 1812-1855). Cromek set sail for Corfu in July 1834 and reached Athens that August, he noted in his journal (Op.cit.) 'During the mornings I was engaged in drawing the Temple of Jupiter Olympius, the Erectheion, etc'. He returned to Athens again in 1844.

Another watercolour of this subject, but from a different view point was formerly in the collection of Randall Davies.

The present watercolour is particularly fascinating as it illustrates the Erectheion before its restoration between 1977 and 1988.