Who painted Lagoa de Freitas?

Lagoa de Freitas was painted by Joseph Tully in 1820.

Where can I see Lagoa de Freitas?

Lagoa de Freitas is held by Pinacoteca de São Paulo.

What movement is Lagoa de Freitas?

Lagoa de Freitas is associated with British Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Lagoa de Freitas?

Museum-quality prints of Lagoa de Freitas are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Lagoa de Freitas

Joseph Tully , 1820

Lagoa de Freitas is a graphite painting by the British Romanticist artist Joseph Tully. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Pinacoteca de São Paulo.

About this work

Overview

Lagoa de Freitas, executed in graphite in 1820, presents a tranquil view of a Brazilian shoreline. The composition centers on a broad expanse of water that stretches toward distant hills, while modest structures line the near shore. The work resides in the collection of the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s early 19th‑century holdings.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures a serene segment of the Rio de Janeiro coast, likely the lagoon after which the piece is named. By juxtaposing open water, low‑lying vegetation, and faint urban elements, the image conveys a balance between nature and settlement, suggesting a moment of quiet coexistence within a rapidly expanding region.

Technique & Style

Tully employs a subtle gradation of graphite tones to model depth, using softer, atmospheric strokes for the distant mountains and sharper, more defined lines for foreground foliage. The palette of blues, browns, and muted greens creates a layered effect, while varied hatching imparts texture to both water surface and terrain, enhancing the sense of calm.

History & Provenance

Created in 1820, the work reflects the early Romantic interest in exotic landscapes among European‑trained artists working in Brazil. It entered the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo’s collection during the museum’s 20th‑century acquisitions of regional art, where it has remained a reference point for the period’s visual documentation of Rio’s coastal environment.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Joseph Tully

Here’s a graphite sketch of a Brazilian lagoon, likely made in the early 1800s. Joseph Tully drew Lagoa de Freitas twice, both times in delicate lines that map the water’s edge. The work belongs to a broader tradition…