Cotmania. Vol. IV. 1929-30

July 18. 29. Fetched Arthur Batchelor from Wroxham, where a regatta was in progress – went with him to Mrs Alston’s new bungalow at Framlingham Earl. Saw his ‘Abbatial House Rouen & an early and interesting ‘landscape with a windmill’ ’155’ on sugar paper c. 1804-5(?) has 'Blackheath' written on back. Went on to Crown Point. Admirable lunch. Cotman’s oil Beggar Boy holding out his hat is fascinating. Murillo-Velasquez influence. Fine ‘impasto’ – early. C 1807 or 8. (?)
After lunch went thro' portfolios & albums in Gallery.
I. Sketches by Cotman - J.J. Colman's bookplate. Reeve's coll. Some of these are evidently from ‘sheets’_ some selections -
(a) 'Monument N.E End [[of]] North Creach Ch/ Nflk/ -1816- J.S. Cotman. 1970’. Pencil.
(b) “The Mill at Eye. Suffolk. J. S. Cotman,” pencil, on grey paper, rounded top - 8x12 –
(c) Pencil (soft) sketch for the ‘Crosby Hall’, on brown paper . colour notes. Figures as in w.c. ‘J.S.Cotman’ – 11x18.
(d) Colnbrook Dale. J. S. Cotman – 2726.’ Pencil, poor - ? if by J.S.C.
(e) CLEARING A BUOY BY S. AUSTIN. No 124. W.C (M.EC – in Reeve’s writing) but clearly J.S.C pencil. 3x4 ½.
(f) ‘Chiswick, looking to Barnes. June 21. 1828.’ (M.E.C in Reeve’s writing) clearly by M.E.C – immature [and] old fashioned pencil – 3x4 ½.
(g) ‘Peter Boats July 10. 1828.’ (M.E.C in Reeve’s writing, but v[er]y juvenile ? J.J.) pencil 3x4 ½.
(h) Barges on a river – ‘J.S. Cotman. King’s College. 4003. Pencil on brown paper – obviously not J.S.C. 8 ¾ x 12.
(i) A sepia on sugar paper – ‘J.S. Cotman. Evening study with Varley, etc when in London.’ (written in Reeve’s writing) very poor. C 1802-3 – if J.S.C. 12x9.
(j) A d[itt]o. Similarly inscribed – Men burning wood in a wood. 12x9
(k) A d[itt]o. Similarly inscribed. A Temple, trees, etc. poor. ribbed paper – 12x8.
(l) A d[itt]o. Similarly inscribed. A female reclining in a landscape. V[er]y poor. 12x15.