Who painted Gompa Top?

Gompa Top was painted by Mabel Allington Royds in 1925.

Where can I see Gompa Top?

Gompa Top is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Gompa Top by Mabel Allington Royds (1925) · Meaning & Museum

About this work

Overview

In the distance, mountains recede into a pale blue sky, while buildings with pointed, golden tops emerge from the rooftops, suggesting a monastic setting.

Created in 1925, 'Gompa Top' is a woodcut print by the English artist Mabel Allington Royds. The work depicts a serene rooftop scene, likely situated in a Himalayan region, characterized by the artist's distinctive style of bold, simplified forms and high-contrast black and white areas. Two large, dark statues sit side by side in the foreground, anchoring the composition against a backdrop of a simple wall and railing.

A tall pole bearing a black cloth rises vertically, adding a dynamic element to the horizontal arrangement of the architecture. In the distance, mountains recede into a pale blue sky, while buildings with pointed, golden tops emerge from the rooftops, suggesting a monastic setting. Royds, known for her contributions to the British woodcut revival, often focused on landscapes and architectural subjects with a focus on pattern and silhouette.

This piece exemplifies her ability to capture the spiritual and atmospheric qualities of a location through the graphic limitations of the print medium, reflecting her interest in Eastern cultures and her place within the early 20th-century English printmaking movement.

Subject & Meaning

The central figures appear as guardians, their backs turned toward the viewer, suggesting a protective presence over the sacred space. Behind them, a simple wall and a pole bearing a black banner frame the scene, while the distant architecture with gilded, pointed roofs hints at the broader monastic complex. The tranquil atmosphere invites contemplation of the spiritual isolation of the site.

Technique & Style

Royds employed a colour woodcut process, using carved blocks to apply flat, saturated hues outlined in bold lines. This method creates a graphic clarity that emphasizes shape over detail, giving the composition a calm, almost meditative quality. The limited palette and strong contours reinforce the sense of stillness and spatial depth within the limited plane of the print.

History & Provenance

The work entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains accessible to the public. Signed only with the artist’s initials, the piece reflects Royds’s interest in Asian subjects during the early twentieth century, a period when Western printmakers frequently explored exotic themes through traditional techniques.