Proposals For Purchasing The Collection Of Drawings, Formed By Sir Thomas Lawrence. Consisting Of Upwards Of 5000 Original Drawings.
RA Collection: Book
Record number
06/2972
Imprint
[London?:: , ca. 1830.]
Physical Description
[4] p.; 255 mm.
References
D. Sutton, 'Oxford and the Lawrence collection of drawings', in Italian drawings from the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford [exhibition catalogue] (1970), p.vii-xxxiii.
Summary Note
There is no title-page. Our title is the caption-title. No date of publication is given, but the pamphlet was presumably issued shortly after Lawrence's death in 1830. In that year Christie sold drawings from Lawrence's collection at auction.
The text proposes the creation of a Society to purchase Sir Thomas Lawrence's collection of drawings in order to preseve them 'entire in this Country'. This proposal appears above the names of Walmsley, Keightley and Parkin (London), W.T. Keightley (Liverpool), Colnaghi and Son (London), Harding and Lepard (London), Molteno and Graves (London), Moon, Boys and Graves (London), Tiffin (London), Woodburn (London), Laing and Forbes (Edinburgh), Gernon and Son (Dublin), Winstanley and Co. (Liverpool), Agnew and Zanetti (Manchester) and Norton (Bristol).
Copy Note
The first and third pages are inscribed in ink, '*The Collection certainly consisted of 5.000 drawings, but Sir Thomas had separated, the more important examples, from those of a slighter character, which reduced the collection to 3,500 choice examples - unfortunately after his death, that portion which had been set apart, got mixed with the other, and enabled those who were opposed to the purchase, to say "Of what use can a thing like that be to modern art", Whither they would have been "of use to modern art", is not for me to enquire, my object is to put on record, the love and veneration, Sir Thomas Lawrence had for his profession; and the interest he felt in its advancement. Had the nation, or the Royal Academy purchased the collection for the sum he left in his will; viz £18,000 they would have had property, to the full amount he paid for it. The Da Vinci Heads for the last supper, were bequeathed to the Royal Academy for £200; also refused; and as will be seen by the sale catalogue, realized nearly 600 gs. JH.'
Binding Note
19th-century calf; rebacked in 20th century retaining earlier spine-piece and red and green morocco spine labels lettered 'Lawrence's Pictures Drawings Prints Casts &c.' and '1830.' Bound with eight others.
Drawings, European - Europe - History
Collections - Great Britian - 19th century
Prospectuses - Sales - Bidding announcements - Great Britain - London - 19th century