Artist: Katharine Jowett
Medium: Watercolor on Paper
Creation Year: July 19, 1922
Dimensions: 7 x 10 inches
Style: Impressionist
Period: Early 21st Century
Condition: Excellent
Description: This watercolor painting by Katharine Jowett (1883–1972), created in 1922, offers a vivid glimpse into a Chinese town during the early 20th century. Jowett, an English-born artist who spent much of her life in Beijing, became known for her sensitive depictions of Chinese architecture, street scenes, and cityscapes. She was especially admired for her ability to capture both the atmosphere and the character of the places she painted, often blending Western techniques with a deep respect for Chinese subject matter.
In this work, Jowett portrays a quiet town street lined with traditional tiled-roof houses, leading the viewer’s eye toward a monumental stone gateway. The archway, flanked by the simple geometry of the homes, anchors the composition and speaks to the cultural and architectural identity of the region. The muted earth tones of the buildings contrast gently with the cool blue-gray mountains rising in the distance, suggesting both stability and a sense of timelessness.
The painting reflects Jowett’s distinctive style: straightforward yet atmospheric, emphasizing clarity of line while allowing watercolor’s translucency to suggest texture and depth. Created during her early years in China, works like this provide not only aesthetic beauty but also a valuable historical record of everyday life and urban design in early Republican-era China. For collectors, Jowett’s paintings are highly regarded for their rarity and for their role in bridging Eastern subject matter with Western artistic traditions.
Artist: Katharine Jowett
Medium: Watercolor on Paper
Creation Year: July 19, 1922
Dimensions: 7 x 10 inches
Style: Impressionist
Period: Early 21st Century
Condition: Excellent
Description: This watercolor painting by Katharine Jowett (1883–1972), created in 1922, offers a vivid glimpse into a Chinese town during the early 20th century. Jowett, an English-born artist who spent much of her life in Beijing, became known for her sensitive depictions of Chinese architecture, street scenes, and cityscapes. She was especially admired for her ability to capture both the atmosphere and the character of the places she painted, often blending Western techniques with a deep respect for Chinese subject matter.
In this work, Jowett portrays a quiet town street lined with traditional tiled-roof houses, leading the viewer’s eye toward a monumental stone gateway. The archway, flanked by the simple geometry of the homes, anchors the composition and speaks to the cultural and architectural identity of the region. The muted earth tones of the buildings contrast gently with the cool blue-gray mountains rising in the distance, suggesting both stability and a sense of timelessness.
The painting reflects Jowett’s distinctive style: straightforward yet atmospheric, emphasizing clarity of line while allowing watercolor’s translucency to suggest texture and depth. Created during her early years in China, works like this provide not only aesthetic beauty but also a valuable historical record of everyday life and urban design in early Republican-era China. For collectors, Jowett’s paintings are highly regarded for their rarity and for their role in bridging Eastern subject matter with Western artistic traditions.
