Object Details
graphic artist
Ferris, Stephen James
Description
Stephen Ferris etched Home of Mariano, Gypsy King in Granada, Spain, during his 1881 visit to sites associated with Mariano Fortuny, a Spanish artist he deeply admired. In a letter from Granada to art editor Sylvester R. Koehler, Ferris told of his fascination with gypsy cave dwellings. He described them as “most picturesque and weird, overgrown with vines, cactus, and aloes . . . . I have made several drawings of Gitanos [gypsy] caves and of one especially a favorite model of Fortunys [sic] a Gitano prince in splendid costume. We bought his dress and I intend to paint and etch my picture when I get time.” Ferris etched the gypsy’s portrait in costume separately and included it, slightly altered, on the right in this print showing the family and animals assembled in front of their cave. Ferris noted in pencil on the print that it was etched directly from life.
Gypsies or gitanos still live in caves in the Sacromonte(Holy Mountain) area of Granada. Today the number of cave dwellers has dwindled, but the area remains famous for flamenco singing and dancing.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
Date made
1881
ID Number
GA.14404.03
accession number
94830
catalog number
14404.03
Object Name
print
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements
image: 18.5 cm x 24.5 cm; 7 5/16 in x 9 5/8 in
plate: 19 cm x 25.5 cm; 7 1/2 in x 10 1/16 in
sheet: 24 cm x 33.4 cm; 9 7/16 in x 13 1/8 in
Place Made
Spain
place made
Spain
See more items in
Work and Industry: Graphic Arts
Ferris Collection
Communications
Art
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Information Technology
Gypsy
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1001700