Thomas Girtin (Southwark 1775-1802 London)
Thomas Girtin (Southwark 1775-1802 London)

Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire

Details
Thomas Girtin (Southwark 1775-1802 London)
Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire
signed 'Girtin' (lower left) and with inscription 'This drawing was presented/ to Wm Brand Esq Collector of/ the Customs by Sir Joseph Banks' (on an old label on the backboard)
pencil and watercolour
13 7/8 x 19 1/8 in. (35.3 x 48.5 cm.)
Provenance
William Brand, presented to him by Sir Joseph Banks.
Lord Brownlow and by descent in the Cust family to Mrs C.V. Hooman (d. 1925) and then by descent to the present owner.
Literature
R. Davies, 'Thomas Girtin's Water-colours', Studio, 1924, pl. 27.
T. Girtin and D. Loshak, The Art of Thomas Girtin, London, 1954, p. 172, no. 280.
Exhibited
London, Agnew's, Loan Exhibition of Water-colour Drawings by Thomas Girtin, 1953, no. 6.
Engraved
B. Howlett, for A selection of views in the county of Lincolnshire, 1 May 1799.
J. Hassell, Aquatint Aqua Picture, 1 July 1818.

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Iona Ballantyne
Iona Ballantyne

Lot Essay

The present drawing is a South West view of Tattershall Castle with a glimpse of the moat and farm buildings on the left, and a church beyond. Girtin and Loshak date the drawing to circa 1798. Girtin also executed a view of Tattershall Castle from the North West, which is upright in composition (Whitworth Art Gallery, fig. 1).

Tattershall Castle is an imposing medieval castle built by Ralph Cromwell, Lord Treasurer of England in 1434. The 110 ft tower is flanked by four octagonal turrets and is four stories high, set within the open fenland of Lincolnshire. At the time of the Castle's rebuilding programme, brick had become more fashionable than stone and Cromwell had nearly one million bricks made from local clay to complete his building. Although by the time of Girtin’s visit, the Tower stood alone, it would once have been adjoined to the other buildings.

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