Inside the East End of Nettley Abbey

By the end of the 18th century, Britain’s medieval ruins had become popular tourist destinations and a rich source of inspiration for Romantic poets and painters, establishing a veritable "cult of ruins." Decaying Gothic architecture set in overgrown landscapes conjured thoughts of the transience of human ambition in the context of eternal nature. In 1755, the writer and Whig politician Horace Walpole described Netley Abbey: "The ruins are vast . . . with all variety of Gothic patterns of windows wrapped round and round with ivy—many trees are sprouted up against the walls and want only to be increased with cypresses! In short, they are not the ruins of Netley, but of Paradise." Michael Angelo Rooker’s drawing gives form to Walpole’s description of his magical visit to the ruined abbey.

A monochromatic gray wash drawing depicts a ruined stone abbey. Tall stone arches stand in the center and to our right, framed by trees with dabs and streaks for leaves. At the bottom center, a small person sits among the foliage, rendered with brief outlines. Handwritten script at the top identifies the scene. The composition balances architectural decay with flourishing vegetation, evoking the serene atmosphere of an ink-wash landscape scroll.

Inside the East End of Nettley Abbey

1794

Michel Angelo Rooker

(British, 1746–1801)

England, 18th century

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