CAPON, William (1757-1827). Original theatrical sketches for, amongst others, Richard III at the Drury Lane theatre, mostly pencil on paper, some signed, 149 sketches, variously sized, tipped into an album, folio (390 x 295 mm)

CAPON, William (1757-1827). Original theatrical sketches for, amongst others, Richard III at the Drury Lane theatre, mostly pencil on paper, some signed, 149 sketches, variously sized, tipped into an album, folio (390 x 295 mm)
Greatly admired for his antiquarian’s approach to detail, William Capon’s designs – many for J. P. Kemble’s productions at Drury Lane and Covent Garden – drawn from his studies of English historical architecture, range here from Norman fortresses and Gothic churches to later Georgian buildings. Capon, one of the pioneers of English stage mounting, collaborated with the actor-manager Kemble for many years; although his Drury Lane sets were lost when the theatre burnt down in 1809, many are recorded in his surviving drawings. Delicately rendered designs, including the Tower of London and tented scenes for Richard III, are often accompanied by highly specific measurements and notes on appearance. Scene designs of William Capon (1956), pp. 118-121.