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The Plain of Keratia from the Ridge of Hymettus
The Plain of Keratia from the Ridge of Hymettus

The Plain of Keratia from the Ridge of Hymettus

Artist (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1775 - 1864)
Date1841
Mediumwatercolour on paper
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
DimensionsSight Size: Height: 29.4 cm, Width: 50.5 cm
Frame: Height: 53.4 cm, Width: 73 cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1980 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG000510
Keywords
About MeJames Skene, a great Philhellene, first visited Greece in 1838 and stayed until 1845. He painted his dramatic view of Plains of Keratia, which lie to the south east of Athens, taking a vantage point high up on Mount Hymettus.

In his diary of 1841, he described a sketching trip to Hymettus:
"A finer panorama could not well be conceived than what was present from this elevated point and accordingly seated on the top crag, with a brace of eagles sweeping round in circles and screeching overhead, I accomplish a sketch of it and redecending reached home in three hours from the top, altogether about twenty miles scramble".