Explorations in the footsteps of Turner, Cotman, Ruskin and others with Professor David Hill
This is the sixth in a series of articles that explores a group of works that reflect John Sell Cotman’s ambitions for his artistic life in Norwich. Here we consider a drawing that appeared on the market in March 2021. It dates from the early days of Cotman's second attempt to establish a successful studio … Continue reading John Sell Cotman: A Harbour for the Soul #6 Musketeer after Jacob De Gheyn
This is the fifth article in a series that began three years ago with a rediscovered watercolour of ‘The Student’ by John Sell Cotman. That led to the consideration of several works that embodied ambitions that Cotman had for his artistic life in Norwich, and his eventual disappointment. Here we consider a drawing that appeared … Continue reading John Sell Cotman: A Harbour for the Soul #5 Van Dyck Study
This is the sixth in a series of articles exploring Cotman's association with St Benet's Abbey, Norfolk. In Part 1 and Part 2 we considered Cotman’s early treatments of the subject, in part 3 an etching published in 1813 and in part 4 works closely related to the etching. In part five we began to … Continue reading Cotman and St Benet’s: Part 6; Later Works (continued)
This is the fifth of a series of articles exploring Cotman's association with St Benet's Abbey, Norfolk. In Part 1 and Part 2 we considered Cotman’s early treatments of the subject, in part 3 an etching published in 1813 and in part 4 works closely related to the etching. Here we turn our attention to … Continue reading Cotman and St Benet’s: Part 5; Later Works
This is the fourth of a series of articles exploring Cotman's association with St Benet's Abbey, Norfolk. In Parts 1 and 2 we considered Cotman’s early treatments of the subject, and in part 3 an etching published in 1813. The etching is a masterpiece and inspired a considerable body of related work. This part attempts … Continue reading Cotman and St Benet’s: Part 4
This is the third of a series of articles exploring Cotman's association with St Benet's Abbey, Norfolk. Part 1 and Part 2 looked at Cotman’s early treatments of the subject, and here we discuss an etching published in 1813. Without doubt, this can be considered as one of the masterpieces of his entire career. [On … Continue reading Cotman and St Benet’s: Part 3
Here we resume our journey through Turner’s Between Lucerne and Thun sketchbook. Turner continues his boat journey to Stansstad, admiring the splendid Villa Stutz en route and enjoying panoramas of Mont Pilatus in one direction and of the Burgenstock in another. 10v as ‘Castle on Rock; Also View of Pilatus [Turner], Etc.’. Image source, Tate … Continue reading In Turner’s Footsteps between Lucerne and Thun: #13 Villa Stutz, Pilatus and Burgenstock
Here we continue In Turner’s Footsteps around Lucerne, examining drawings of the town in addition to those in the Between Lucerne and Thun that is our main subject. Here we complete the survey [at least until others are identified] with three drawings on individual sheets of grey paper. Their date, I ought to admit, is … Continue reading In Turner’s Footsteps around Lucerne: A survey of sketches, part #6
Here we continue In Turner’s Footsteps around Lucerne, examining drawings in three sketchbooks in addition to those in the Between Lucerne and Thun that is our main subject. Here we turn to the third sketchbook in the sequence. (3) TB CCXCVII Spires and Heidelberg sketchbook, ?1844 A medium sized rectangular notebook bound in boards covered … Continue reading In Turner’s Footsteps around Lucerne: A survey of sketches, part #5
Here we continue In Turner’s Footsteps around Lucerne, examining drawings in three sketchbooks besides the Between Lucerne and Thun that is our main subject. Here we turn to the second sketchbook in the sequence. (2) TB CCCXXXI Lake of Zug and Goldau sketchbook, ?1842 A letter-box format paperbound pocket book, containing as endpapers part of … Continue reading In Turner’s Footsteps around Lucerne: A survey of sketches, part #4
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