FDA-D.233-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.233-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
View of the Grand Horn Work of Valenciennes
Pilkington
Pilkington
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
collection
collection
Comments
Valenciennes was besieged by the English and allied troops from late May 1793 until 28th July. The constant artillery bombardment left the city virtually in ruins. Farington set out to make drawings of the remains on 11th August, accompanied by his servant, James and the engraver Johannes Stadler. Before leaving, he was advised as to the state of the town and given a letter of introduction by William Windham, an old Etonian, who had been present at the siege.
Having secured the necessary permissions to make drawings, Farington began his sketches on 19th August and continued every day until 31st. The sale of his remaining work in 1921 included eight large drawings of Valenciennes itself, and an album of 21 other 'Views of Flanders', on the cover of which the artist had written 'Few is the number of sketches I made but these were made under circumstances of great difficulty and inconvenience'. Farington was still working on the watercolours in 1797, noting in his diary on 3rd August 'Smirke called - likes drawing of Horn-work at Valenciennes, much colouring pleasing - whole unpromising at first, turns out unexpectedly' (Diary, p.879). However, the set of prints commissioned by Boydell was finally abandoned in 1798, itself a casualty of the disruption to the market caused by the revolutionary wars.
Having secured the necessary permissions to make drawings, Farington began his sketches on 19th August and continued every day until 31st. The sale of his remaining work in 1921 included eight large drawings of Valenciennes itself, and an album of 21 other 'Views of Flanders', on the cover of which the artist had written 'Few is the number of sketches I made but these were made under circumstances of great difficulty and inconvenience'. Farington was still working on the watercolours in 1797, noting in his diary on 3rd August 'Smirke called - likes drawing of Horn-work at Valenciennes, much colouring pleasing - whole unpromising at first, turns out unexpectedly' (Diary, p.879). However, the set of prints commissioned by Boydell was finally abandoned in 1798, itself a casualty of the disruption to the market caused by the revolutionary wars.
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 470mm
width (actual size): 755mm
width (actual size): 755mm
Inscription
Inscribed on the artist's mount, `View of the Grand Horn Work of Valenciennes which was carried by assault on the night of the 26th of July 1793 by the British troops': Inscribed on the drawing 'Here the Globes of Compression were blown up after which the attack of the Horn work was instantly made'.
Materials & techniques note
Pencil, pen and grey ink, watercolour with scratching out
Production
Person
Farington, Joseph, 1747 - 1821 (Artist)
Date
1793-97
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of Alan Pilkington; by whom presented/bequeathed to Eton College
Exhibited: 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 49
Exhibited: 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 49
Previous ownership
Pilkington, Alan, 1879 - 1973: Provenance: the artist; by descent to Miss M.L.E. Tyrwhitt; Puttick & Simpson, 9 December 1921 (lot 212), bt Walker's Gallery; Alan Pilkington, bequeathed to Eton 1973
References
• Wilcox, T., A Genius for Watercolour; Watercolours from the Eton College Collection, Christie's exhibition catalogue, London, 2003 (p. 59), Catalogue number: 49
