Lea Castle, Worcestershire, Picture Room, Looking West 1811 - 1821

John Carter made this watercolor drawing of the Picture Room at Lea Castle in Worcestershire. It is made with graphite and watercolor on paper. The architectural rendering is simple, but the perspective is cleverly done. The geometric lines of the floor tiles and the coffered ceiling meet at a vanishing point, drawing the viewer's eye into the space. Carter paid close attention to the intricacies of the architecture, capturing details such as the ornate arches and the arrangement of paintings on the walls. It is a quiet scene, but one that speaks volumes about the culture of collecting and display in late eighteenth century England. While it might seem this drawing is far removed from industrial concerns, consider how the room is filled: with paintings and objects representing the wealth extracted through labor, trade, and colonial exploitation. Carter’s expertise in capturing this opulence speaks to the complex relationship between art, wealth, and social structures.