Thomas Gainsborough R.A.

Sale, London, Christie's, 20 November 2003, lot 3

H. Belsey, 'A Second Supplement to John Hayes's The Drawings of Thomas Gainsborough', Master Drawings, vol. XLVI, no.4, Winter 2008, pp. 502–3, no. 1062, fig. 86

This drawing has remained well preserved and clearly readable. There are several small restorations however these are minor and have been skilfully done. The sheet has been laid down.
"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."

During the 1770s Gainsborough used the same elements in his drawings and rearranged them to create subtle balanced compositions with the fluid medium of washes. Despite being in monochrome the dexterous handling of the brush gives the drawings an extraordinary range of tone and light and the forms are given focus with crisp touches of white chalk. Some of the drawings formerly at Althorp, one of which appeared in these rooms on 4 December 2013 as lot 482, show a similar technique. This particular drawing comes from a group of works that use reflections to emphasise the horizontality of the composition. Several compositional elements, especially the relationship between the pool and the figures, anticipate the accomplished landscape painting formerly at Dulverton Park, that Gainsborough painted four or five years later.¹ We are very grateful to Hugh Belsey, M.B.E, for his help in cataloguing this work.

1.^.J. Hayes, The Landscape Paintings of Thomas Gainsborough, London 1982, pp. 532–34, no. 158 repr.