Explorations in the footsteps of Turner, Cotman, Ruskin and others with Professor David Hill
This article extends the consideration of two proofs of the print by David Lucas and John Constable of the artist's composition of 'A Summerland' sold at Chiswick auctions on 27 June 2019, together with a further proof from the series of 'English Landscape Scenery' of 'Willy Lott's Cottage'. To start with the first new ‘Summerland’ proof. … Continue reading Further Constable ‘Summerland’ proofs #2
On 27 June 2019, lot 372 Chiswick Auctions, London offered a progress proof of David Lucas’s mezzotint of Constable’s ‘A Summerland’. The catalogue identified this as proof state 10e as given in Andrew Shirley's superb book Mezzotints by David Lucas after John Constable, published in 1930.. This turns out to be wrong. It is, rather, … Continue reading Update: Further Constable ‘Summerland’ proofs
This is the second instalment of a new series of articles in which I will revisit each of the 96 sites depicted by J.M.W.Turner in his series of engravings ‘Picturesque View in England and Wales’. These were published over a period of ten years between 1827 and 1837 but represent subjects drawn from his entire … Continue reading England and Wales Revisited: #35 Holy Island, Northumberland
J.T.Willmore after J.M.W.Turner R.A.Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, 1832Etching and engraving, image 164 x 233, on plate 246 x 302, printed in black ink on india paper, 241 x 298, bonded to backing sheet of heavyweight white wove paper, not watermarked 399 x 562 mmInscribed in neat script centred below image, ‘Engrvd by J.T.Willmore from a Drawing … Continue reading England and Wales Revisited: # 34 Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
Lucerne Kunstmuseum, Switzerland Watercolour and gouache, 9 ¾ × 14 ¼ inches · 247 × 362 mm Turner catalogues: Wilton1472; tdb1577 This is a medium-sized watercolour sketch of broad lake scene, suffused with light and colour, with quays in the foreground, full of suggestions of activity. In the left distance is a rosy-coloured mountain with … Continue reading The Lake of Lucerne and Mont Rigi from the Swan Hotel., Lucerne; Called ‘The Rigi at Sunset’, c.1842
Newcastle, Laing Art Gallery Bodycolour, pencil, watercolour and scratching out on paper support: 349 x 483 mm, 13 3/4 x 19 ins Turner catalogues: Wilton0284; tdb0023 This is a substantial, finished studio watercolour of a rocky coastal scene with waves breaking onshore from the right. In the foreground are rearing, jagged rocks, beyond which a … Continue reading Dunstanburgh Castle from the South, Northumberland [Dunstanborough], c.1798
Manchester City Art Gallery (1917-110) Watercolour, 291 x 419 (sight), 11 x 16 1/2 ins Turner catalogues: Wilton0814; tdb0941 This is a medium-sized, finished studio watercolour of a coastal scene with waves breaking onshore from the sea to the right. In the middle distance is a sunlit castle on a low headland. A large round-towered … Continue reading Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland, c.1828
Introductions are normally best written last. At this stage, however, the outcome of this project remains at best distant, and at worst doubtful. It seems useful to offer at the outset a brief – if necessarily sketchy -overview of the etchings that follow. ‘Etchings by John Sell Cotman’ is the artist’s first essay in the … Continue reading ‘Etchings by John Sell Cotman’: An introduction
This is the second article in a series cataloguing John Sell Cotman’s first series of etchings, published in 1811. Here we begin with the frontispiece, a cornucopia of his graphic capabilities and variety of motifs. . John Sell CotmanEtchings by John Sell Cotman: Title page, 1811Private collection This is an architectural capriccio featuring a monumental … Continue reading Title Page to ‘Etchings by John Sell Cotman’
This is the third article in a series cataloguing John Sell Cotman’s first series of etchings, published in 1811. Here, in the dedication plate, Cotman makes a handsome tribute to one of his most important early patrons, and also gives full rein to his courtly romanticism. John Sell CotmanDedication Page to ‘Etchings by John Sell … Continue reading Dedication Page to ‘Etchings by John Sell Cotman’
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