Cotmania. Vol. II. 1927-8

{newspaper cutting}
ENGLISH WATER-COLOURS
The early English water-colour school is to be seen at its best at the Independent Gallery, 7A, Grafton-street, where there is a collection of 50 drawings by Girtin, Cotman, Gainsborough, Constable, Bonington, and others. A solemn "Extensive Landscape with Knaresborough Castle in the Distance," by Girtin, dominates the exhibition. Dated 1801, the year before his death, it obviously reflects the same mood as the two drawings of Harewood recently exhibited at Messrs. Agnew's, and, allowing for his genius, it makes us feel how much the school gained in dignity from the limitations of the colour-box. Next to it in importance we should place the very splendid "Rome from the Villa Melline," by J. R. Cozens, one of his most elaborate compositions, but carried through without a jarring passage.
There are four Boningtons, all of good quality, but all perhaps a little suggesting "cleverness," " River Scene" being perhaps the most completely satisfying. Several of the most interesting drawings, including the Gainsboroughs, two of the Constables, and five of the nine Cotmans, are in black and white. "View near Lavenham" and "Near East Bergholt," by Constable, were reproduced and discussed by Sir Charles Holmes in a recent essay, and they have the special interest of showing Constable as the student of Gainsborough in the treatment of landscape detail.
<'The Times' 2.5.'28>

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{sketch}
Independent Gallery
(Percy Moore Turner)
May 1928
No. 17 - c 1808 - (P.M.T)

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{catalogue cutting with notes}
JOHN SELL COTMAN
1782 - 1842

10. 'COTTAGE AT HENGRAVE' Pencil drawing. Signed <J.S. Cotman>
Size 10 x 7¼ ins.
<£25>
<No. '734'>

11. THE ADMIRAL. Water-colour.
Size 6¼ x 4½ ins.
<£35>
<Back view of a man in baggy knickerbockers>

12. 'SLINGSBY CASTLE, YORK'[[SHIRE]]. Pencil drawing. Signed <J.S. Cotman>
Size 9½ x 7½ ins.
<£25 [[sold]]>
<'668'>

13. RUINS OF AN OLD CHAPEL. Pencil drawing.
Size 10¾ x 7¾ ins.
<£25>

14. MONOW BRIDGE. <[illegible 1 word]> Water-colour. <'Bridgnorth.' see B. M. drawing.>
<c.1801 - [illegible 1 word] drawing, from the dated sketch in B.M. - [illegible 2/3 words]>
Size 7¾ x 12½ ins.
<£45 sold>

15. THE OLD HOUSE. Pencil drawing.
Size 9¾ x 7½ ins.
<£25>

16. THE THATCHED HOUSE. Pencil drawing.
Size 7½ x 10¾ ins.
<£25 sold>

17. BORDER CASTLE. Water-colour.
Size 10¼ x 8¼ ins.
<[illegible 2 words]>
<£500>

18. SHIPPING OFF THE COAST. Water-colour.
Size 10 x 13½ ins.
<£100>

< Sold. 18a. Old Cottage. Watercolour. Reminiscent of soft ground etching - "Deptford"
c 1806 - 8 'J.S Cotman 1847'>
<c [[13 x 10]]11½ x 9¼>
<sold>