Huizen in Dieppe 1806 - 1864

David Roberts created this watercolour titled ‘Huizen in Dieppe’, likely in the mid-19th century. It presents a scene of daily life, with figures inhabiting the foreground of a detailed architectural study. Roberts, a Scottish painter, was famed for his detailed depictions of architecture and landscapes, often from his travels. ‘Huizen in Dieppe’ is interesting because it showcases the quaint timbered buildings typical of the French port town of Dieppe. These buildings would have likely been seen as picturesque remnants of an older, pre-industrial France. Roberts romanticized the scene, drawing on the popular 19th-century fascination with the ‘picturesque’. Art historians might use travel literature, architectural surveys, and social histories to understand the cultural context of images such as this. The enduring appeal of the picturesque in art demonstrates the profound influence of cultural values on artistic expression. It also reminds us of the power of art to shape our understanding of place.