- 109
Thomas Girtin
Estimate
50,000 - 80,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- Thomas Girtin
- Dryburgh Abbey, Berwickshire
- Watercolor over pencil heightened with stopping out and gum arabic
Provenance
Charles Plumptre Johnson, Sevenoaks, Kent;
his executors' sale, London, Sotheby's, 22 April 1942, lot 59, to the artist's great-grandson, Thomas Girtin (1874-1961);
by descent to his son, Thomas Girtin (1912-1994);
his sale, London, Sotheby's, 14 July 1994, lot 103, illustrated on the front cover (detail);
where acquired by the present owner
his executors' sale, London, Sotheby's, 22 April 1942, lot 59, to the artist's great-grandson, Thomas Girtin (1874-1961);
by descent to his son, Thomas Girtin (1912-1994);
his sale, London, Sotheby's, 14 July 1994, lot 103, illustrated on the front cover (detail);
where acquired by the present owner
Exhibited
London, Agnew's, Loan Exhibition of Water-Colour Drawings by Thomas Girtin, 1953, no. 47;
Sheffield, Graves Art Gallery, Early Watercolours from the Collection of Thomas Girtin Junior, 1953, no. 45;
Leeds, City Art Gallery, Early English Watercolours, 1958, no. 43
Sheffield, Graves Art Gallery, Early Watercolours from the Collection of Thomas Girtin Junior, 1953, no. 45;
Leeds, City Art Gallery, Early English Watercolours, 1958, no. 43
Literature
T. Girtin & D. Loshak, The Art of Thomas Girtin, London 1954, no. 193
Condition
The sheet has been carefully presented and preserved, although it should be noted that the current mount is acidic and should be changed as soon as possible. The sheet has been laid down. There is very minor discoloration to the sheet, which can only be seen on very close inspection. In the upper left hand quadrant of the sheet there are two small areas of restoration. There has been very minor fading to some of the pigments, in particular the yellow tones, but overall they remain strong and clear.
For further information on this lot please contact either Mark Griffith-Jones (0207 293 5083 - mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com).
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Dryburgh Abbey stands on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders. Founded in 1150 it was sacked by the English in 1322, after which it was restored only to be burned again by Richard II in 1385. Returning to prosperity by the fifteenth century, it was finally destroyed in 1544, during Henry VIII's reformation.
It seems likely that Girtin visited Dryburgh Abbey on his northern tour of 1796. He sketched in the York and Durham area, before travelling across the border into Scotland. A signed and dated pencil study of the village of Jedburgh, which is less than ten miles south of Dryburgh, proves that he was at Jedburgh on 11th October.1 A pencil sketch of Dryburgh Abbey is also recorded as having formerly belonged to H.M. Gaskell.2
The present work not only remains in remarkable condition but it demonstrates Girtin's exquisite understanding of form, color and light. Furthermore, it has an interesting provenance, for in 1942 it was purchased by the great-grandson of the artist, and it remained with that family until it was acquired by the present owner from Sotheby's, London, in 1994.
It seems likely that Girtin visited Dryburgh Abbey on his northern tour of 1796. He sketched in the York and Durham area, before travelling across the border into Scotland. A signed and dated pencil study of the village of Jedburgh, which is less than ten miles south of Dryburgh, proves that he was at Jedburgh on 11th October.1 A pencil sketch of Dryburgh Abbey is also recorded as having formerly belonged to H.M. Gaskell.2
The present work not only remains in remarkable condition but it demonstrates Girtin's exquisite understanding of form, color and light. Furthermore, it has an interesting provenance, for in 1942 it was purchased by the great-grandson of the artist, and it remained with that family until it was acquired by the present owner from Sotheby's, London, in 1994.
1. T. Girtin & D. Loshak, op. cit., no. 166
2. Ibid, p. 168