Fez: Gate to the Ancient Medina

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

Fred Uhlman is known for his landscapes, townscapes and still life work, which he depicts using an almost child-like simplicity and with a distinct palette. This drawing is part of a series by Uhlman that captures scenes in Fez, Morocco. His pared down use of line and colour exudes a sense of spontaneity – of having just arrived at a place and gaining a first impression. The drawings use a variety of media and were made either during or after the time he spent in Morocco.

Fred Uhlman was born in Germany, where he became a doctor of law. He practised there as a barrister before leaving for Paris in 1933 where he began to teach himself to paint. He moved to London in 1934 where his paintings were enthusiastically received and he began to show work regularly in galleries in Paris and London. He also drew on his experience of spending his summers in Wales. A retrospective of Uhlman’s work was held at Leighton House, London in 1968.

Places

Morocco, Fez (Fez)

Subjects

landscape C20th, townscape/cityscape, figure (gender nonspecific), gate

Materials & Techniques

mixed media (art material), drawing (Art object type), drawing (art technique)

Artist

Fred Uhlman (1901 - 1985)

Title

Fez: Gate to the Ancient Medina

Date

1948

Medium

mixed media drawing

Dimensions

height: 23.5 cm; width: 30.0 cm; depth: 2.5 cm

Acquisition

Presented by Gordon Barrass and Kristen Lippincott, February 2020

Inscription

recto: signed by the artist 'F.U. 68', bottom right

Provenance

The artist; from whom purchased by Gordon S. Barrass, CMG circa 1979; by whom presented to UK Government Art Collection, 18 February 2020

GAC number

18856