Thomas Girtin (London 1775-1802)

View of Chepstow Castle with cattle watering in the foreground

Details

Thomas Girtin (London 1775-1802)
View of Chepstow Castle with cattle watering in the foreground
inscribed 'Chepstow Castle.' (lower centre, on the mount) and with inscription 'Formerly belonged to the Clare's, Earle of Pembrooke; when built unknown' (verso of the mount, possibly in James Moore's hand)
pencil and grey, blue, green and ochre washes, on the artist's wash-line mount
6 ¾ x 8 ¾ in. (17.2 x 22.3 cm.)

Provenance

James Moore and by descent to his widow
Mrs Moore, by 1799.and by descent to
Miss Anne Miller, daughter of her first cousin Rebecca Miller by 1835.
Edward Mansel Miller and Helen Louisa Miller, 1890.
Helen Louisa Miller by 1912.
with the Palser Gallery, 1918.
Thomas Girtin.
A.J. Finberg.
V. Rienaecker.
with Colnaghi's, London.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 14 February 1978, lot 51.

Literature

R. Davies, 'Thomas Girtin's Water-Colours', Studio, 1924, p. 7, pl 7, illustrated in colour.
T. Girtin and D. Loshak, The Art of Thomas Girtin, 1954, pp. 4 and 136, no. 17.

Engraved

G.I. Parkyns, with variations, for Monastic Ruins and Ancient Castles, part VIII, 1 January 1792.

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Lot Essay

Girtin and Loshak, op. cit., p. 136 suggests that the present drawing is after one by Edward Dayes, dated 1792, which was sold in these Rooms, 14 March 1952, lot 221. The drawing by Dayes was taken from an 'on the spot' sketch by James Moore, executed on 22 May 1789. The subject matter reflects the antiquarian interests of Moore, Girtin's first patron, while stylistically, the influence of Edward Dayes, to whom Girtin was apprenticed at this time, can be seen: Davies, loc. cit., notes the similarity between the present work and the Dayes drawing, 'It would be difficult to find any other instance of so perfect an assimilation of a master's methods which is neither a copy nor a servile imitation, but simply an independent work done in a manner and with something more of the skill of the master'.

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