Lot Essay
The present drawing comes from a sketchbook used during Towne's tour of Devon from 28 August to 5 September 1815. A similar watercolour was sold at Christie's London, 14 March 1978, lot 97, as 'Bickleigh Vale from Plym Bridge, Devon' for £2,090 and is also dated 'Septr. 4th 1815'. The last known watercolour executed by Towne was dated 5 September 1815, and was sold in the same sale, lot 98 as 'Sutton Pool and Nunnery, Plymouth'. A drawing of Bickley Vale and Shaugh Church was in the collection of Dr. John Malins (see A. Bury Francis Towne, London, 1962, p. 150).
We are grateful to Timothy Wilcox of Hove Museum and Art Gallery for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.
We are grateful to Timothy Wilcox of Hove Museum and Art Gallery for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.