John Dugmore of Swaffham, Melrose Abbey, Scotland, Early 19th Century, Watercolour

Description

An original early 19th-century watercolour painting, John Dugmore of Swaffham, Melrose Abbey, Scotland.An outstanding and rare grisaille watercolour by British … more An original early 19th-century watercolour painting, John Dugmore of Swaffham, Melrose Abbey, Scotland.An outstanding and rare grisaille watercolour by British draughtsman and grand-tourist John Dugmore of Swaffham (1793–1871).The painting depicts the picturesque ruined remains at Melrose Abbey in the Scottish borders. Melrose Abbey was the first Cistercian abbey built in Scotland. The hard stone used to build the abbey has contributed to the unusually fine stone carving that is still evident today, and as such, the ruin is among the most impressive manifestations of Scotland's medieval history.Here Dugmore draws the ruin with high topographical accuracy, whilst creating atmosphere and solemnity with dramatic use of light and shade.John Dugmore of Swaffham (1793–1871) was born into Norfolk nobility in 1793. He benefited from a deep classical education and developed a sophisticated taste in the arts. On moving to London to seek his fame and fortune at the Royal Court, he met the man who was to become his patron, William Charles Keppel (1772–1849), 4th Earl of Albermarle. It is believed that Dugmore was responsible for Keppel children’s education, and he accompanied one of Keppel's son's on a Grand Tour in 1820. Over a period of twenty months, he passed from Scotland to Western Bohemia, France, Switzerland and Italy, recording the sights and views he encountered. This watercolour is very probably the product of that tour.Dugmore's work has been praised for not only being visual witnesses of the shape of many main and minor European cities, but also for his ability in feeling and amplifying the aesthetic news which he was meeting place by place. It is thought that his drawing style varies according to the landscape, his German drawings being very linear and pure, and his French drawings are ‘touched’ by pencil and brush in a way that seems largely to anticipate the impressionist idea of the light.On wove paper tipped on to brown backing paper.Provenance: William Drummond (Covent Garden Gallery, London). Signed: No. Inscribed: Inscribed on backing paper below the image 'Melrose Abbey' and further on backing paper in Drummond's later hand. Height: 20.6cm (8.1″) Width: 27.8cm (10.9″) Condition: In very good condition for its age. The odd minor spot of foxing in the sky area. Very slight wear to the lower corners, with a tiny loss to the far lower left corner. The brown backing paper has two vertical inward folds creating side flaps, which will shipped folded but could be extended when mounted. These side folds have been retained because there is a number '17 inscribed at the far lower right corner of the backing. Please see photos for detail. Presented: Unframed. less