The Cotman Collection | 53

Cotmania. Vol. I. 1926-7

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/2/1/1
Page: 25 recto


  • Description

    IPSWICH: Drawings at Christ Church House continued/ Bradford Exhibition Catalogue extract

    Description of three drawings seen at Christ Church House, Museum & Art Gallery. / extract from guide on Christchurch House. / cutting from Matthews and Brooke exhibition catalogue together with notes and sketch of Cotman pencil drawing entitled 'A Ruined Abbey.'

    Date: 02/05/1927

  • Transcription

    {Ipswich Museum drawings}
    (14) a very large watercolour of the interior of a part of church. tomb on left in arch with the N choir aisle & the E window beyond. altar steps & corner of altar on right. (bought from E. Samuel c 1922.) It is worn & in poor condition, has been folded - belongs to the fine period of the interiors of Norwich cathedral; - or a little earlier. {probably added later in pen} ? St Peter Mancroft. 24 x 19 c J. S. Cotman, 1807."
    (15) Pencil & watercolour tinted drawing of a boat & sail on a beach. the drawing is not labelled, but looks like J.S. C.
    (16) Study of a wood, very faded watercolour, sky has gone pink. looks like an early J.S.C. tho'ugh not labelled. {added in pencil} now labelled Crome (18'31)

    /

    {Extract from guide on Christchurch House.}
    CHRISTCHURCH MANSION, built mainly between 1548 and 1550, by Edmund Withipoll, stands near the site of the Priory of Holy Trinity, and carved stones found in the walls suggest that much of the materials came from the Priory buildings, while the timber, and the clay for the bricks and tiles were produced by the estate. The house when built probably had a Tudor arched doorways, and windows of dressed brick. The work of 1548-50 may be traced by the lattice pattern of black "header" brick on the outer walls, by the crow stepped chimneys and the dressed stone quoins at the angles of the original building and by the plinth course of stone-work near the ground level. A stone dated 1550 will be found on the east side of the east wing. The porch is of the 16th century but the present entrance doorway, together with the doors into the side wings with little circular windows above them, also the large stone mullioned windows of the ground floor and the remaining oak panelling in the house date from the first half of the 17th century. The mansion was purchased and presented to the Town of Ipswich in 1894 by Mr. Felix T. Cobbold, who subsequently left a bequest of £20,000 for the acquisition of pictures and furniture, etc., to be exhibited there.

    1. Churchyard Collection of local watercolours, etc. {kitson notes} 1798-1865?

    2. Black-and-white Room, with works by Gainsborough, John Sell Cotman, Leonard Squirrell, etc.
    3. Photographs of Italian Paintings.
    4. Oil Paintings, etc., by F.G.Cotman, Batley, Mura, Munnings etc.
    5. Dutch School Paintings and works by Gainsborough, Moreland, Crome and Constable and Henry Bright.
    6. Small Water Colour Room, with works by Peter de Wint, Sam Read, John Sell Cotman, Henry Bright, Harpignies, etc.

    /

    {cutting from Matthews and Brooke exhibition catalogue}
    from Catalogue of the spring exhibition of Matthews & Brooke, Bradford 1927--

    {cutting} 118 A Ruined Abbey John Sell Cotman, A.R.W.S.

    {Kitson sketch of} This is a large pencil drawing , a ruined building with Tudor chimney, a [[1 word illegible]] door, a gothic niche & statue. a figure praying before it. Trees on right, distant landscape left. {note added in pencil} about 12 x 18.

IPSWICH: Drawings at Christ Church House continued/  Bradford Exhibition Catalogue extract