Lot Essay
The present watercolour is clearly an early compositional study, and it is interesting to note that one of the 1809 exhibits was entitled 'Bamborough Castle, a sketch' (no. 298).
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JOHN VARLEY, O.W.S. (1778-1842)
(Northumberland Tour of 1808, Lots 169-171, 173)
Varley toured Northumberland in September 1808, executing a series of drawings in a sketchbook now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. This sketchbook, known as the Northumberland Sketchbook, contains studies of Dunstanburgh made on 20 September 1808, the same day as the present drawings. The following year at the Old Water-Colour Society he exhibited views of Bamborough (nos. 132, 264, 298, 311) and Dunstanborough (nos. 57 and 90) along with other Northumberland subjects. During the course of his tour, Varley took the opportunity to visit his Northumbrian patrons, William Ord of Whitfield and Sir John Swinburne of Capheaton. The drawings provided him with a repertoire of subjects for future use and views of the same places continued to occupy him periodically for the rest of his life (see C.M. Kauffmann, John Varley 1778-1842, ex. cat., London, 1984, no. 25, pp. 118-122). The original drawings therefore fall into two categories: those still bound within the sketchbook; and the present large studies made on separate sheets measuring 20 7/8 inches in width.
The combination of sturdy paper (which must have been pinned or clipped to a board), soft pencil and a simple grey wash is perfectly suited to the subject and to the exposed nature of the site.
John Varley, O.W.S. (London 1778-1842)
South-west view of Bamburgh Castle (recto) and a subsidiary study (verso); and West view of Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland (verso) and a subsidiary study of the castle walls (verso)
Details
John Varley, O.W.S. (London 1778-1842)
South-west view of Bamburgh Castle (recto) and a subsidiary study (verso); and West view of Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland (verso) and a subsidiary study of the castle walls (verso)
one signed, inscribed and dated 'South West View of Bamburgh Castle /Northumberland J Varley./1808' (lower left), one signed 'J Varley' (lower right) and signed, inscribed and dated 'West view of Bamburgh Castle Northumberland/J Varley 18...[trimmed]' (lower left)
one pencil and grey wash on paper, one pencil
13 x 21 in. (33 x 53.3 cm.); and 12 x 20¾ in. (30.5 x 52.7 cm.)
South-west view of Bamburgh Castle (recto) and a subsidiary study (verso); and West view of Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland (verso) and a subsidiary study of the castle walls (verso)
one signed, inscribed and dated 'South West View of Bamburgh Castle /Northumberland J Varley./1808' (lower left), one signed 'J Varley' (lower right) and signed, inscribed and dated 'West view of Bamburgh Castle Northumberland/J Varley 18...[trimmed]' (lower left)
one pencil and grey wash on paper, one pencil
13 x 21 in. (33 x 53.3 cm.); and 12 x 20¾ in. (30.5 x 52.7 cm.)
Sale room notice
Please note there re two drawings in this lot. The quantity has been omitted from the catalogue entry.
Brought to you by
Harriet West
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