Early British Drawings, Watercolours and Portrait Miniatures

/

Lot 159
  • 159

George Arthur Fripp, R.W.S.

Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • George Arthur Fripp, R.W.S.
  • A Canal, Venice; The Interior of Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice
  • the first signed and inscribed l.l.: At Venice / GA Fripp. 1835; the second inscribed l.l: G. A Fripp / 1835
  • watercolour with bodycolour heightened with scratching out and gum arabic
  • the first 28.3 by 21.2 cm.; 11 1/8 by 8 1/4 in.; the second 27.7 by 18.5 cm.; 10 3/4 by 7 1/4 in.

Provenance

A Canal, Venice:

with John Harrison Fine Art, London;
with Michael Bryan, London;
Anonymous sale, Christie's London, 1 December 2004, lot 94 (bt. by the present owner)

The Interior of Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice

with Abbott and Holder, London, 2004, no. 107 (bt. by the present owner)

Condition

A Canal, Venice: The colours have remained very fresh and strong. Overall the condition of the work is excellent. The Interior of Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice The colours are well preserved. There are several extremely subtle scratched lines in evidence. These can only just be seen in a raking light and do not affect the balance of the composition. In places, some of the gum arabic has cracked, however again this can only be seen on very close inspection. Overall the work is in 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."

Catalogue Note

These highly finished watercolours are the result of Fripp's two month, 1834, sojourn in Venice, with fellow Bristol born artist William James Müller (1812-1845). Fripp's use of rich gum arabic and bodycolour appear to suggest that he was much influenced by the techniques of Müller.

Whereas the first work clearly depicts the interior of St. Mark's Basilica, the precise location of the second watercolour is less certain. One possibility is that it is of the Arsenal on Rio della Tana, the second is that it is one of the many small canals in the compact Dorsoduro area of the city.

Both watercolours are dated 1835 and are therefore likely to have been executed in Bristol, upon Fripp's return from the continent.