The Cotman Collection | 27

Cotmania. Vol. III. 1928-9

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/2/1/3
Page: 9 verso (numbered 16)


  • Description

    Extracts from the diary of Joseph Farrington R.A. describing popularity of watercolours in 1808 and account of visit to Birmingham Art Gallery and Meanwoodside

    Diary of Joseph Farrington describing popularity of watercolours in 1808 and account of Kitson's visits to Birmingham Art Gallery

    Date: 1805 and 14-15 November 1928

  • Transcription

    Extracts from Diary of Joseph Farrington R.A.
    "April 23 - 1805. West had invited Sir George Beaumont, W[illia]m* Smith & Payne Knight to confer with him in a plan for establishing a National Gallery" --
    * Editor's note - William Smith 1756-1835. MP for Norwich 1802-1830 - was the patron of Opie & Cotman, & possessed 2 fine Rembrandts (D.N.B.)
    --
    "June 1 - 1808 - Sir George Beaumont reprobated the rage for water colour drawings, but it was said that the passion was subsiding. Haydon said that a gentleman had laid a wager of 20 guineas that in 3 years time there would be no watercolour exhibition."

    -----------"-------------

    On Nov. 14th I visited the Birmingham Art Gallery & Kaines Smith was away. They have 2 new Cotmans (in addition to the 'Street scene at Alençon 1828' + 'the Interior of Walsoken Ch.')
    viz. Shipping off Yarmouth. (? the one bought by Agnew at Christie's last year) & a w.c. of 'a Norman Building' c. 11x8. really 'A Church near Durham' soft, good sketching no. 36. signed 521 - J.S. Cotman - c.1808.-
    On Nov. 15 - I went to Meanwoodside. Their Selby pencil drawing is dated " Sept. 20, 1803 J. S. Cotman" it is c. 14x9. The pencil line is very fruity, i.e. it looks like he had redrawn it c. 1810, over his original outline - perhaps with a view of including it in his series of Yorkshire sketches of 1811.
    The pencil & sepia was drawing of 'Elevation of the Church Tower at Harfleur June 30 1817-1820 JS Cotman" - is c 18x8.

Extracts from the diary of Joseph Farrington R.A. describing popularity of watercolours in 1808 and account of visit to Birmingham Art Gallery and Meanwoodside