![]() They cover a wide assortment of subjects: portraits and semi-caricature sketches of Lewis, members of his family and others sketches relating to his early oil and watercolour paintings landscape and architectural sketches, particularly at Kempston Hardwick in Bedfordshire and Windsor Great Park domestic animals, particularly cows, horses and dogs and wild animals, especially the lions that Lewis saw and drew at the Exeter Exchange Menagerie in London. Few are dated, but the evidence of other similar drawings places them roughly between 18. The drawings themselves are hugely diverse and are pasted into the album in scrapbook fashion, entirely randomly, in no chronological or thematic order. The detailed inscriptions on the album leaves imply first-hand knowledge of the Lewis family and it seems most likely that the album was bound by or for Charles George and passed down in the family. However, precisely when and by whom the album was collated is not clear. Charles continued to work in the family studio after his father's retirement in 1855, and as his brother was by then a famous artist, he would have wished to keep sketches relating to his boyhood and early career. The title tells us that this collection of sketches was assembled by John Frederick’s younger brother, Charles George (1808-1880), who, like their father, Frederick Christian (1779-1856), was an engraver. This much is known, but the rest of the album’s history remains a mystery. On the cover is the title in gilt: SKETCHES / BY / JOHN FREDERICK LEWIS R.A. Lewis and other members of his family, originally held together in a leather binding probably dating from the later nineteenth century. ![]() ![]() This album comprises a collection of 210 sketches by J.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |