Page 271 - Eye of the beholder

The original drawing was done in 1792, with the British flag flying in the fortifications to the left, indicating that the fort was recently captured as early as 1791. Rings of walls enclosing the central granite rock at successive levels were clearly visible to the Daniells’, but today it can hardly be traced with the exception of an isolated bastion at the foot.
Thomas Daniell excelled in composing his views, in which there is a persistent use of dramatic element which captures the viewers’ attention immediately. Either it is a massive outcrop of a hill or an unusual shaped rocky formation as in this particular instance, which is cone shaped or it is the exceptional flat plains that is equally breathtaking in making it as a dominant element. This coloured aquatint is as beautiful as it is picturesque. Perspectival and lighting adjustments introduced by the Daniells’ accentuated the dramatic contours of the central rock. The central dome of granite is encircled by rings of walls. The contours of the hills have been observed with an eye to detail, giving it an appearance of foreboding and inhospitable. This has been achieved by his dexterous use of chiaroscuro which makes the hill in shadow on one side while from the front it appears in the full glare of the sunlight. The fortress walls enclose the contours of the hills as though clasped by strong hands. The terrain of the hill is not an easy one appearing to be treacherous. Perhaps it is these qualities of its geological formation that it made it to be an appropriate site for the construction of the fortress, thus providing for a shield from the enemy, as well as offering a good view of the landscape around in case of the approaching enemy, which can be sighted with ease.
At the base of this hill can be seen a few settlements of houses and people sitting and standing around in what appears to be a shallow water body. The houses appear to be those of the working class particularly farmers. The architecture is very simple and roofed by tiles. A road cutting through shows herdsmen with their cattle. There is smoke being emitted from the corner of the fort wall as well as from the house on the extreme left, where it is billowing out with force. In the right foreground can be seen another house flanked by a tree with scarce foliage. The topography of the place suggests that it was not dry and arid, but sufficient greenery surrounded it. The thick mass of the foliage of trees on the right as well as the green bushes that are interspersed in between the rock surfaces offers a . The sky has the stereotypical clouds which are both cumulus and striated.
Today the country side looks a little different. Although the main buildings have fallen into disrepair, the line of the intricate fortifications can still be traced along the contours of the great hills.
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