Title: |
Rivaulx Abbey, Door Way to the Refectory |
Artist: |
Cotman, John Sell (Norwich, 1782 - London, 1842) |
Date: |
1811 (Second and Final Edition, 1838) |
Medium: |
Original Etching |
Publisher: |
Henry Bohn, London |
Note: |
"The two sides of John Sell Cotman's inspiration are very clearly
demonstrated in his etched work. His softground landscapes mark, together
with the work of John Crome, the new spirit of English landscape in the 19th
century, while his architectural etchings are virtually unique in English
art. He acknowledged freely his debt to Piranesi -- in his illusions of
height and monumental strength -- but his work has a beauty of pattern
in the line which is entirely his own." *
|
|
One of the greatest influences upon the course of early nineteenth
century English landscape art was the Norwich School and its Society of
Artists. From 1805 to 1834 two gifted Norwich landscape painters gained
prominent national reputations, John Crome and John Sell Cotman. Interestingly
both artists extensively explored an all but forgotten artistic media --
etching. Their great art in this field helped pave the way for the work
of the painter-etchers of the latter nineteenth century. |
|
Born in Norwich, John Sell Cotman was educated at the Grammar School.
His first 'education ' in the arts took place in 1798 when he moved to
London and worked as a colourist of engravings for Ackermann's Repository
of Arts. Two years later he exhibited his first drawings and watercolours
at the Royal Academy and, in 1801, he joined the Sketching Society which
included such members as Thomas Girtin, John Varley and Paul Sandby Munn. |
|
From 1802 to 1805 John Sell Cotman visited Yorkshire on three
tours. The watercolours he created on these occasions served as the genesis
for his first published portfolio of etchings entitled, Miscellaneous
Etchings of Architectural Antiquities of Yorkshire (1811). Cotman
returned to Norwich in 1806 and became President of the Norwich Society
of Artists several years later. |
|
Rivaulx Abbey, Door Way to the Refectory is one
of the 26 plates which constitute the Miscellaneous Etchings .... .
First published installments in 1811 a second edition of these etchings
was printed in London by Henry Bohn in 1838. The only difference between
the two editions is that Bohn added Roman numeration to the plates in the
upper centre margin. This original etching, printed on stiff wove paper,
hails from the second and final edition. Like John Sell Cotman's watercolours from
this period these etchings are revolutionary in their presentation of isolated
motifs and their superb delineation of pattern and form. In Rivaulx
Abbey, Door Way to the Refectory, John Sell Cotman's etched art is seen at its
finest. The brilliant portrayal of the ancient architecture and the surrounding
vegetation has made this one of his most famous etchings. |
|
During the following years John Sell Cotman produced some of the greatest
watercolours in the history of British art. He also continued creating
remarkable sets of architectural and landscape etchings among which are, Architectural
Antiquities of Norfolk (1812-1817), Architectural Antiquities
of Normandy (1822) and Liber Studiorum (1838). |
Raisonne: |
A. E. Popham, "Etchings of John Sell Cotman", Print
Collector's Quarterly, 9, 1922, pp. 237 - 273. Catalogue #12, Second and
Final State as published in London in 1838 by Bohn. |
Reference: |
* William Weston Gallery, Etchings by John Sell Cotman
and his Sons, William Weston, London, 1972. Note: Rivaulx Abbey,
Door Way to the Refectory is illustrated on the front cover. |
Source: |
Miscellaneous Etchings of Architectural Antiquities in Yorkshire |
Size: |
12 X 8 3/4 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height
preceding width of plate-mark or image.) |
|
Matted with 100% Archival Materials |
Condition: |
Printed upon heavy wove paper and with large, full margins
as published in London in 1838. Signed, dated and titled in the plate by
the artist to the lower margin. Containing several circular sports in the
lower margins, not intruding into the actual etching, else a finely printed
impression and in very good condition throughout. Rivaulx Abbey, Door
Way to the Refectory represents a prime, original example of the famous
etched art of John Sell Cotman. |
Price: |
Sold - The price is no longer available. |
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