- 268
John Sell Cotman
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- John Sell Cotman
- Classical Landscape
- Watercolour over pencil, heightened with stopping out and gum arabic
- 460 by 585 mm
Provenance
Probably Sir William Forbes, 7th Bt. of Pitsligo (1773-1828)
Condition
Many of the watercolour pigments have survived well in this work, however others have faded. The paper is a little discoloured, although the present condition does not dramatically effect the balance of the composition. The extreme right hand edge of the sheet is creased and a little worn. There are two small areas of pigment loss within the composition. One in a central position in the sky and the other in the lower left hand corner, amongst the rocks.
The work is not laid down and would benefit from cleaning.
"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
The present watercolour dates to circa 1808-1810 and shows Cotman working in an almost Poussinesque manner. Composed of two dimensional planes and a warm palette, his use of avant-garde techniques enabled him to convey a sense of the grandiose and the monumental. Cotman's contemporary, John Varley, achieved a similar effect in his celebrated watercolour Suburbs of an Ancient City, a work that Cotman may well have known, as it was exhibited in 1808 at the Society of Painters in Water Colours annual exhibition.1
There is a variant of the present composition in the Norwich Castle Museum. That work has also been dated to the same period. We are grateful to Timothy Wilcox for his help when cataloguing this work.
1. Tate, Britain
2. M. Rajnai & M. Allthorpe-Guyton, John Sell Cotman, 1979, no. 95, pl. 66
There is a variant of the present composition in the Norwich Castle Museum. That work has also been dated to the same period. We are grateful to Timothy Wilcox for his help when cataloguing this work.
1. Tate, Britain
2. M. Rajnai & M. Allthorpe-Guyton, John Sell Cotman, 1979, no. 95, pl. 66