Chinnery used the common 18th Century system of shorthand first devised by Thomas Gurney (1705-1770), who published his work on the subject in 1750. Chinnery used Gurney's system, annotating his drawings in pencil. He would not remove the notes that he made on a drawing when he sold or gave away a work and would often inscribe additional notes in ink. The script adds a mysterious element to the drawings as it is undecipherable to the untrained eye; however, we know that works inscribed with a '+' were those that he liked and wished to use again and those he inscribed with an 'x' he was unhappy with.
George Chinnery (1774-1852)
Figures and Cattle at the Water's Edge, buildings beyond
Details
George Chinnery (1774-1852)
Figures and Cattle at the Water's Edge, buildings beyond
inscribed '+' upper left in the artist's shorthand
pen and brown ink
7 5/8 x 10 in. (19.3 x 25.4 cm.)
Figures and Cattle at the Water's Edge, buildings beyond
inscribed '+' upper left in the artist's shorthand
pen and brown ink
7 5/8 x 10 in. (19.3 x 25.4 cm.)