This intricately detailed artwork depicts a street scene in front of a grand Gothic Revival-style church with carriages and pedestrians adding life to the composition. The main architectural subject features an arched doorway, towering steeple, and finely rendered stonework, suggestive of late 19th-century urban life. The painting is signed "A. L. Forrest -99" in the lower-left corner, indicating the artist and date of 1899.
The medium appears to be either a watercolor or gouache on paper, as the texture and application of paint in the image suggest thin, translucent layers typical of these media. The coloring is soft, with earthy tones dominating the architectural elements and figures. The artwork is housed in a simple, yet complementary, wooden frame with visible wear consistent with its age.
Dimensions:
Artwork: 20 1/4" x 13 1/2"
Framed: 30 1/2" x 23 1/4"
The artwork reflects the architectural fascination of the time, and its carefully detailed scene provides a glimpse into the historical urban landscape. The backing shows signs of age and wear but appears original to the piece.