Type of artwork: Original Watercolour Painting
Surface: Paper
Artist and Signature: Signed by Lt-Col Thomas Ditmas (1806–1885)
Subject: A striking 19th century topographical watercolour of The Pass of Dariel (also known as the Darial Gorge) in the Caucasus Mountains. The work captures the dramatic landscape of this strategically significant route between Russia and Georgia, long regarded as one of the great natural gateways of the region.
The piece is inscribed and dated 1873, and is attributed to Colonel H. P. Ditmas, a noted military figure and antiquarian associated with York. Ditmas was known for his antiquarian interests and travel studies, with this painting standing as a fine example of his interest in documenting historically important landscapes.
Approximate age of artwork: Dated 1873
Is the artwork Framed or Mounted: Mounted on cream card, as shown.
Condition Report: The watercolour remains in good antique condition with strong tones. Some light handling
...marks, faint age spots and expected paper toning are visible, but the image remains clear and striking. Please study the photographs for an accurate impression.detail is finely preserved.
Size of painting 15 x 13 cm
Artist Biography: Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Ditmas (1806–1885) was a career officer in the Honourable East India Company’s Bengal Artillery, later serving under the British Indian Army. Commissioned in the 1820s, he rose to senior rank and spent many years stationed in India, where he recorded landscapes, architecture and floral studies in watercolour and on rice paper. His works from the 1830s–40s are rare survivals of the period, bridging Company School traditions with a personal officer’s eye. Ditmas retired to York, where his descendants, including Colonel Harold Percy Ditmas (1853–1937), continued the family’s military and artistic traditions.
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***************Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1168170
Dateline of this antique is 1870
Height is 13cm (5.1inches)Width is 15cm (5.9inches)Depth is 0cm (0.0inches)
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