FDA-D.473-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.473-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
Windsor Castle: The Round Tower and Devil Tower
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
View of part of a castle including trees, vegetation, two uniformed guards and a canon/cart
Comments
'Sandby's first exhibited view of Windsor dates from 1763, but the date on this drawing incorporated in the sundial, 1756, has been taken as evidence that he may have been active in and around the castle some years before that. His brother Thomas was at Windsor a decade earlier, working for the Duke of Cumberland, who was appointed ranger of Windosr Great Park in 1746, though he did not settle permanently in the town until 1765. Thomas's views tend to concentrate on the park, while Paul's interest in the castle may be due to the encouragement of the Duke of Montagu, Constable and Governor of the Castle from 1752, and the dedicatee of the aquatints of Windsor Pul had published in 1776.
It has been estimated that Sandby may have drawn as many as sixty separate views of Windsor Castle. This particular subject, also described as Engine Court, may not only be the earliest to be dated, it is one which is not known to have ever been repeated by the artist.'
[Source: Wilcox, T., 'A Genius for Watercolour: Watercolours from the Eton College Collection', Christie's, London, 2003, p.28, catalogue number 19]
It has been estimated that Sandby may have drawn as many as sixty separate views of Windsor Castle. This particular subject, also described as Engine Court, may not only be the earliest to be dated, it is one which is not known to have ever been repeated by the artist.'
[Source: Wilcox, T., 'A Genius for Watercolour: Watercolours from the Eton College Collection', Christie's, London, 2003, p.28, catalogue number 19]
Other number
CL1
Description
Content (place)
Windsor Castle
Dimensions
height (actual size): 302mm
width (actual size): 528mm
width (actual size): 528mm
Inscription
Dated centre right, on the sundial: 'II / GR/ 1756'
Materials & techniques note
Pencil, pen and grey ink, watercolour within the artist's border
Production
Person
Sandby, Paul, c.1731 - 1809 (Artist)
Date
1756
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of the Reverend Hugh Pearson (1817 - 1882); by whom bequeathed to Miss F.A.C. Biddulph; by whom bequeathed to Eton College in 1948
Exhibited: Victoria and Albert Museum, London; 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 2003; 'Canaletto in England' City Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham, 1993 (catalogue no.61)
Exhibited: Victoria and Albert Museum, London; 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 2003; 'Canaletto in England' City Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham, 1993 (catalogue no.61)
Previous ownership
Pearson, Rev Hugh, 1817 - 1882: Bequeathed to Miss F.A.C. Biddulph
Biddulph, F.A.C.: Bequeathed to Eton 1948
Biddulph, F.A.C.: Bequeathed to Eton 1948
References
• Wilcox, T., A Genius for Watercolour; Watercolours from the Eton College Collection, Christie's exhibition catalogue, London, 2003 (No. 19)
• Ryan, H., Hidden Treasures, W.S. Fine Art exhibition catalogue, 2010 (No. 5, p. 20-21)
• Herrmann, L., Paul and Thomas Sandby, 1986 (P. 28)
• Ryan, H., Hidden Treasures, W.S. Fine Art exhibition catalogue, 2010 (No. 5, p. 20-21)
• Herrmann, L., Paul and Thomas Sandby, 1986 (P. 28)
