FDA-D.1696-2023
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.1696-2023
Object type
Identification
Title
Crossing the Sands, Ulverston
Title Type
Common name
Description
Painted landscape view including figures, some on horseback, in a sandy landscape; two horse-drawn carts in the middleground
Comments
Cox painted many views of travellers crossing the sands at this stretch of coastline, often with a guide on horseback indicating the way. These works are indiscriminately titled ‘Lancaster Sands’ and ‘Ulverston Sands’ because the sands extend across the head of Morecambe Bay, near Lancaster, with the town of Ulverston to the west. For Cox, this subject provided opportunity to capture the effects of a broad expanse of sky and reflections on the sand, along with rainstorms or sand whipped up by the wind. There is a sense of danger for the vulnerable travellers, who seem small and insignificant as they traverse the threatening landscape.
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 220mm
width (actual size): 320mm
width (actual size): 320mm
Material
paper
watercolour
pencil
watercolour
pencil
Materials & techniques note
Watercolour over pencil on paper
Production
Person
Cox, David (Snr), 1783 - 1859 (Artist)
Date
1835
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of Joseph Baxendale; collection of I. Totteridge; 'Important English Drawings and Watercolours', Christie's, London, 18 March 1980, Lot 94, as ‘Carts and Travellers on Lancaster Sands; Andrew Wyld, London 1980; collection of Victor Rosen; his posthumous sale; Christie's, London, 21 March 1989, Lot 120; bought by Agnew's; 'The Collection of Monsieur et Madame Gérald Bauer: British Watercolours from the Golden Age', Christie’s, London, 22 January 2003, Lot 28; '131st Annual Exhibition', Agnew’s, London 2004; from whom purchased by Richard Amis; collection of Richard Henry Allen Amis (K.S. 1945-50; 1932-2018); by whom bequeathed to Eton College
Exhibited: 'l'Age d'Or d'Aquarelle Anglaise, 1770–1900', Fondation de l'Hermitage, Lausanne, Switzerland, 22 January to 24 May 1999, catalogue number 59; 'Watercolours & Drawings, 131th Annual Exhibition', Agnew’s, London, 25 February to 19 March 2004; 'An Etonian Collector: The Richard Amis Bequest', The Verey Gallery, Eton College, 16 November 2023 to 24 March 2024
Exhibited: 'l'Age d'Or d'Aquarelle Anglaise, 1770–1900', Fondation de l'Hermitage, Lausanne, Switzerland, 22 January to 24 May 1999, catalogue number 59; 'Watercolours & Drawings, 131th Annual Exhibition', Agnew’s, London, 25 February to 19 March 2004; 'An Etonian Collector: The Richard Amis Bequest', The Verey Gallery, Eton College, 16 November 2023 to 24 March 2024
