The Ingram Collection - Drawings from the Collection of the late Michael Ingram

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Lot 232
  • 232

David Roberts R.A. 1796-1864

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Description

  • David Roberts R.A.
  • Burgos Cathedral, Spain

  • signed l.r.: BURGOS/David Roberts. R.A. Decr 10th  1832 and inscribed u.r.: WEST FRONT of the/CATHEDRAL OF/BURGOS                      

  • watercolour over pencil heightened with touches of bodycolour and gum arabic

Provenance

Sir Bruce Ingram (L.1405a) 

Catalogue Note

Roberts drew this study on the spot in 1832, but signed it later - he was not made a Royal Academician until 1841.  Rouen Cathedral's stunning west front had been an early inspiration for Roberts, and the source of his first major successes in easel painting.  Burgos he found 'one of the finest [cathedrals] in Spain.'  The sketch was used as a basis for a watercolour dated 1836, in the collection of the British Museum, which was engraved for the Landscape Annual of 1837.

An oil vversion by Roberts was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1835.  Roberts also made sketches of other views both inside and outside Burgos Cathedral, which he later used for oil and watercolour compositions, some of which were reproduced as prints