The Cotman Collection | 30

Cotmania. Vol. IX. 1933-4

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/2/1/9
Page: p. 12 verso


  • Description

    Two clippings, two journal entries, and annotation in Kitson's hand.

    clipping/ journal entry / annotation / clipping / journal entry

    Date: 1933-1934

  • Transcription

    {clipping from The Times 14 November 1933}

    English Water-colours
    Early English water-colours, from the collection of the late Mr. F. W. Keen, of Birmingham, sold well at Christie's rooms last week, making a total of £3,755. There was keen competition for a small drawing of Morpeth Bridge (12 ¼ inch by 20 ½.) by the short-lives Thomas Girtin, the close friend of Turner. It was the last drawing made by the artist, and on its previous appearance in the sale room in 1881 realized £110. It has now made 315 guineas (Walker).
    Two drawings by J. S. Cotman, a classical landscape and Castle Acre Priory, made 260 and 170 guineas respectively. "La Marina," by J. R. Cozens, went for 140 guineas, and another drawing by Girtin, Farm Buildings near Bromley for 100 guineas.

    /

    {journal entry dated}

    Nov 6, 7 + 8. 1933

    Visited Christie's to see the Keen Collection. [Holmes], Kay, [Daniel], [Collings] Baker. [Finley], Sadler, N. Lupton, Oppe + others there— was delighted with the [illegible 1 word] + beauty of 'Kirkham Abbey gateway'— [illegible 2 words] to go to 150 guineas— it fell to [illegible 1 word] for 170 guineas

    /

    {annotation}

    'from an article in [illegible 1 word] Dec: 1933 on Nettlefold Collection
    /

    {clipping }

    Mr. Nettlefold's Wilsons, Morlands, Ibetsons, and Turners (including the last-named's superb Linlithgow Palace) wait their turn in the later volumes, but here there are interesting exemplifications of J. R. Cozens, Constable, Crime, Cotman, and Tom Collier, as well as of Edmund Baristow, Boys, Bright, Callow, Chambers, and Burne-Jones—to name but a few. Cozens Lake of Nemi (formerly called Lake of Albano) is an excellent water-colour, of which another version belongs to Mr. Thomas Girtin. Handling and the effect of recession are admirably managed. But "space" forbids a detailed discussion of individual works, and even the magnificent "Blue Cotman" (as I like to call the Cader Idris) must be mentioned in passing. Dutch Boats off Yarmouth (Plate, opposite) is one of many memorable oils, and it is noteworthy that cotman's original title added the fact that the vessels in the left foreground were "prizes during the war"— F. Gordon Roe.

    /

    {Journal entry}

    Dec: 4 1933

    Went to N.P.G National Portrait Gallery - where Hake showed me the oil portrait of Mrs J. S. Cotman: it has now been [illegible 1 word] + looks very well.
    Went to the [illegible 1 word] at Christie's + saw lot 176 at Christie's [on] [the] : 11— [illegible 2 words] an upright of 'Brandsby'—a study of trees— is dated July 16—1805, unfinished but very interesting + desirable— The 'mountainous landscape' is a small late [illegible 1 word] medium— very lovely + [illegible 1 word] + charming.
    On Dec 5 Meatyard told me that [Bowden] had bought 'Scene in a Wooded Park' at Christie's the Friday before for 7 ½ guineas— He telephoned to him + bought it for me.

Two clippings, two journal entries, and annotation in Kitson's hand.