Thomas Gainsborough, R.A.

Sale, London, Sotheby's, 8 July 2011, lot 311

The medium has been applied in a very subtle manner. In general the paper has not suffered from discolouration however there is evidence of some minor surface dirt, particularly along the lower right hand edge of the sheet. Located in the lower section of the composition are two minor scratches and within the sky there are several areas where the paper has thinned and possibly has been skilfully restored. At the upper left hand corner of the sheet there is a skilfully repaired paper loss. This sheet has not been laid down and is a very rare survival from Gainsborough's tour of the North of England in the early 1780's.
"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."

This recently rediscovered drawing was executed by the artist during his 1783 tour of the Lake District. In search of grand and dramatic subjects, he set out in the summer of 1783 with his friend the Reverend Samuel Kilderbee (1725-1813). His intentions were to ‘mount all the lakes at the next exhibition, in the great stile [sic].’¹

Only two other drawings from this tour are presently known. The first, Study of a Mountain Scene with Lake² was sold at Sotheby’s, New York, 27 January 2010, lot 102. The second, entitled Study of Langdale Pikes³ is in a private collection. The precise view-point of this work has not been fully identified. It has been convincingly suggested that it might represent Folly Bridge, Borrowdale, a stone structure that was commissioned in 1781 by John Braithwaite of Seatoller.

1. J. Hayes, The Drawings of Thomas Gainsborough, London 1970, p. 308
2. J. Hayes, op. sit, p. 242, no. 577, pl. 179
3. J. Hayes, op. sit, p. 242, no. 578, pl. 180