The Cotman Collection | 32

Cotmania. Vol. II. 1927-8

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/2/1/2
Page: 27 recto


  • Description

    Visits to the Tate, British Museum and Oxford / letter from Laurence Binyon re photograph of Marsh's drawing

    diary entries / letter

    Date: 26 Mar 1928 - 14 Apr 1928

  • Transcription

    {diary entries}
    Monday March 26, 1928
    Took my small 'York' Cotman watercolour to the Tate. Saw Messrs. Aitkin, [Manson?] & Ede: found that Ed: Marsh's Cotman had been through the Flood & was being reconditioned at the British Museum. Noticed a Cotman oil (c.1815?) of an old shed: fine quality. 'Lent anonymously'.
    Tuesday March 27
    Went to British Museum. Saw Laurence Binyon, who took me to see England in the workshop: found that Marsh's drawing was the same subject as the 'Water Gate, York' at the Whitworth Institute & the same size. (8¾ x 13⅝) called 'Tower in Normandy' reproduced in Neville Lytton's 'Watercolour' (1911)
    Saturday March 29 Shown to Bell at Ashmolean, who considered it to be too faded to have aesthetic value: disliked the wild pencil work.
    Saturday April 14 Visited the Provost of Oriel. He has a large collection of watercolours by W. Turner of Oxford: many of them very large eg view of Oxford from Whiteham Hill, & view of Oxford in flood time. A very desirable small 'Iffley Church', very tender in tone, good in design.

    /

    {letter}
    National Scheme for Disabled Men
    2 April 1928
    Department of Prints and Drawings, British Museum, London: W.C.1.

    Dear Mr Kitson,
    Marsh says he has no objection to his drawing being photographed. He wishes to be remembered to you.
    Yours sincerely
    Laurence Binyon

Visits to the Tate, British Museum and Oxford / letter from Laurence Binyon re photograph of Marsh's drawing