- 173
Thomas Rowlandson
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description
- Thomas Rowlandson
- A Collection of fifty-nine watercolours after the Old Masters and the Antique
- Each watercolour and pen and red/brown ink, some watermarked between 1817-21;
many inscribed in the artist's hand with descriptions of original sources;
many bear signature and the initials TR (by a later hand) - Largest 150 by 217 mm
Including depictions of Diana, Hercules, Bacchanti, Jupiter, Juno, Venus, Apollo, Cupid, Psyche, Minerva, Ulysses, Roman Empress, Greek warriors and many others
Condition
These drawings are in generally very good condition.
"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
This group of watercolours date to the early 1820s, at around the time Rowlandson made his final trip to Italy. They serve as a testament to his fascination with both the classical world and the old masters, themes that had pre-occupied him since his student days at the Royal Academy schools. As a mature artist he went out of his way to continue studying, making several trips to Paris, including one in 1814 to see the treasures that Napoleon had amassed at the Louvre, as well as at least two visits to Rome, one in 1782 and the other some time after 1820. Some of the drawings in the group are inscribed, for example: From a Greek Bas relief in the Temple of the Parthenon; Deux heroes from the Musée Napolean; Jeune Faune de la Villa Albani; from a statue in the gallery of San Marco; Bacchante…. from a Greek vase in my possession…. Such enthusiastic notes demonstrate that even in his sixties, Rowlandson, one of the great British draughtsmen of his time, continued to look with curiosity and so be inspired.