Sir George Howland Beaumont, 7th Bt.

including views of Ullswater (5); the Landale Pikes; Grasmere; Honister Crag; Buttermere; Grange in Borrowdale; The Bowder Stone, near to Braithwaite (2); the bridge at Ambleside; a cottage at Calgarth; end of Honister Crag; Raven Crag; Gowder Crag with Lodore Falls; Rydal from Brathay Bridge; Brathay; Skiddaw from Borrowdale; the dale of Keswick with the church; Grasmere with Helvellyn; Vale of St. John; Kirkstone; the road near Ambleside; Windermere; Thirlmere; and others

Oldfield Bowles, of North Aston, Oxfordshire (1739-1810);
by descent to Sir Arthur Hallam Elton, 7^th Bt. (1818-1883);
by family descent until at least 1922

F. Owen & D. Blayney Brown, Collector of Genus, A life of Sir George Beaumont, London 1988, p. 39

The majority of the drawings are in good condition. There is occasion minor discolouration and surface dirt. The covers are a little worn, but overall the condition is good.
"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 sketchbook contains drawings that Sir George made on a tour of the Lake District with his wife in late August 1781. He was twenty-eight years old and already entrenched in the art world. He had first learnt to draw at Eton, under the watchful eye of Alexander Cozens. Up at Oxford, he took lessons from John Baptist Malchair and at this time also met Richard Wilson and Sir Joshua Reynolds. In 1782 he undertook a Grand Tour to Italy and while there, had the opportunity to draw alongside John Robert Cozens. Upon his return, he became a member of the Dilettanti Society and between 1794 and 1825 he exhibited at the Royal Academy. He assembled an important collection of old masters and ‘modern’ paintings and through friendship and patronage he became a great support to artists of the next generation. He was particularly close to John Constable, who, partially upon Sir George’s advice, made a tour of the Lake District in 1806.

The present album, which shows Beaumont's 'mastery of monochrome washes and a deft touch of pen and heightened detail'¹ once belonged to Oldfield Bowles, a close friend of Sir George's, who may have been part of the travelling party of 1781.

^{1. F. Owen, op. cit., p. 39}