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
Painted view of part of a castle including trees, vegetation, two uniformed guards and a canon/cart
Comments
This is one of the most beautiful of Sandby's many views of Windsor Castle (it is estimated that he may have drawn as many as sixty separate views of its buildings), and onw which he never repeated. The date of 1765 incorporated onto the sundial is taken to be the date of the watercolour, making it the earliest view of the Castle. Sandby's Windsor drawings are not only an historical record, but are masterpieces of topographical drawing. This one is a prime example, showing the Round Tower inthe centre, the Norman Tower to the right, and a glimpse of the Devil Tower on the left. The artist's low viewpoint, his bold use of foreground shade, and the two solitary soldiers on duty, impart a sense of theatre to the scene.
The date of 1756, seen incorporated onto the sundial on the side of a building, is taken to be the date of this watercolour, making it Sandby's earliest view of the Castle.
The Round Tower is seen at the centre of this composition, the Devil's Tower to the left. Unusually for Sandby's Windsor works, no other versions of this view of the Castle are known.
'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]
The date of 1756, seen incorporated onto the sundial on the side of a building, is taken to be the date of this watercolour, making it Sandby's earliest view of the Castle.
The Round Tower is seen at the centre of this composition, the Devil's Tower to the left. Unusually for Sandby's Windsor works, no other versions of this view of the Castle are known.
'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]
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, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 19; 'Canaletto in England' City Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham, 1993 (catalogue no.61); 'Views of Windsor and Eton by Paul Sandby', Eton College, c.2008-09
Exhibited: Victoria and Albert Museum, London; 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 19; 'Canaletto in England' City Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham, 1993 (catalogue no.61); 'Views of Windsor and Eton by Paul Sandby', Eton College, c.2008-09
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)
