Urbino III, 1974

Anthony Eyton RA (b. 1923)

RA Collection: Art

Eyton studied fine art at Reading University in 1941 before serving in the Army until 1947. He went on to study at Camberwell School of Art from 1947 to 1950, and in 1951 received an Abbey Major Scholarship which gave him the opportunity to work in Italy. This was the first of many visits and in 1974 he spent six months both reacquainting himself with Renaissance masters and also painting the landscape and cities.

Eyton depicts Urbino sandwiched between the bright blue sky and the foreground building and foliage which also reflect the sky's colour. No people are included in the scene and instead the artist effortlessly paints the geometry of the buildings. In choosing to paint this cityscape in a portrait format rather than landscape, it allows the artist to fully convey the character of the city perched on a hill top.