L12404

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Lot 60
  • 60

Brontë, Charlotte.

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description

  • Derwent Water.
  • PENCIL DRAWING ON PAPER
95 by 154mm., fine pencil drawing, signed and dated "C. Brontë October 15th [18]32", together with title in author's hand, mounted, framed and glazed, some spotting

Provenance

Ellen Nussey?; J. Horsfall Turner; and thence by family descent

Literature

Alexander and Sellars 83

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"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

A re-discovered lost drawing by Charlotte Brontë, entirely missing during the twentieth century.

This drawing of a lake in the Lake District was lent to the Brontë Society in 1896 and listed in their Catalogue of Objects in the Museum of the Brontë Society. It was untraced by Christine Alexander and Jane Sellars for their The art of the Brontës (Cambridge, 1995).

This piece comprises Charlotte Brontë's drawing of an engraving by Thomas Allom, who published a number of volumes with his depictions of Cumberland in the 1830s. Charlotte is known to have drawn other views from Allom's illustrations (including Hartlepool Harbour and Cockermouth in January 1833).

In the absence of the original and based on 'the type of scene Charlotte was in the habit of copying', Alexander and Sellars suggested that Brontë's drawing was of 'Derwent Water, from the Castle Head, Cumberland'. The discovery of the original confirms their research.

The wooden backing to the frame includes a pencil note which appears to state "Given to me by Miss Nussy". Ellen Nussey (1817-97) was a lifelong friend of Charlotte Brontë, and the chief source for Gaskell's biography.