The Persian Cyclamen

Location

Country: Iran
City: Tehran
Place: British Embassy

Abraham Pether, a cousin of the painter William Pether, was born at Chichester and as a child showed a talent for music. However, he later became a pupil of the painter George Smith. His works mainly depict river and mountain scenery, often with classical buildings, although it was his popular moonlit views that inspired the nickname ‘Moonlight Pether’. He exhibited frequently at the Royal Academy and Free Society of Artists. Despite some success Pether was never able to do more than provide for the basic needs of his wife and children. Towards the end of his life he was incapacitated by disease. The Artist’s Benevolent Fund faced severe criticism for not supporting his family after the artist’s death, despite their acute poverty.

Places

Middle East, Iraq

Subjects

landscape C19th, cyclamen, hill, church

Materials & Techniques

engraving, aquatint, colour aquatint

Artist

Abraham Pether (1756 - 1812)
William, I Elmes

Title

The Persian Cyclamen

Date

1804

Medium

Colour aquatint and engraving

Dimensions

height: 52.50 cm, width: 41.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Frank T Sabin, February 1959

GAC number

4875