FDA-D.792-2013
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.792-2013
Object type
Identification
Title
View of Macnaghten's Library
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Painted view of the interior of a library, with painted lettering below
Comments
The Macnaghten Library was opened in 1938 in a room adjacent to School Library that had previously contained the Myers collection of Egyptian Antiquities. At Eugen-Millington-Drake's expense, that collection was rehoused in a new museum space and the old room was refitted with panelling, cupboards and desks to house his gift of books relating to the First World War. Around the original doorway, panels bear the names of the Old Etonians to whose memory the library is dedicated, surmounted by the motto of the house, XAIPETE NIKOMEN (the ancient message of victory delivered by the runner from Marathon). Opposite this stands a replica of the house's unofficial emblem, the winged Victory of Samothrace. The library was moved to rooms below the Provost's Lodge in 2005. A small selection of items from the collections, as well as a shelf of representative books (colour-coded according to subject), is displayed nearby.
A manuscript inscription is mounted beneath the drawing.
Llewelyn Frederick Menzies-Jones was Drawing Master (Head of Art) at Eton College from 1933 to 1957.
A manuscript inscription is mounted beneath the drawing.
Llewelyn Frederick Menzies-Jones was Drawing Master (Head of Art) at Eton College from 1933 to 1957.
Description
Content (place)
Eton College
Dimensions
height (sight size): 255mm
width (sight size): 290mm
height (sight size): 110mm
width (sight size): 300mm
height (frame): 526mm
width (frame): 512mm
depth (frame): 15mm
width (sight size): 290mm
height (sight size): 110mm
width (sight size): 300mm
height (frame): 526mm
width (frame): 512mm
depth (frame): 15mm
Inscription
Lettering in watercolour, within drawn memorial tablet:
'1938 / MACNAGHTEN'S LIBRARY / IN MEMORY OF / THE FIFTY THREE OLD BOYS / OF H. MACNAGHTEN'S HOUSE (1899-1920) / AND OF EIGHT OTHER FRIENDS / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY / IN THE GREAT WAR / AND IN HAPPY AND GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE / OF SEVEN YEARS WITH THEM AT ETON / THIS LIBRARY WAS GIVEN TO THE SCHOOL / BY E. MILLINGTON-DRAKE / (H.M. 1901-1908)'
Note: The names of the 'Old Boys' are listed in red watercolour to either side of this drawn memorial tablet.
'1938 / MACNAGHTEN'S LIBRARY / IN MEMORY OF / THE FIFTY THREE OLD BOYS / OF H. MACNAGHTEN'S HOUSE (1899-1920) / AND OF EIGHT OTHER FRIENDS / WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY / IN THE GREAT WAR / AND IN HAPPY AND GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE / OF SEVEN YEARS WITH THEM AT ETON / THIS LIBRARY WAS GIVEN TO THE SCHOOL / BY E. MILLINGTON-DRAKE / (H.M. 1901-1908)'
Note: The names of the 'Old Boys' are listed in red watercolour to either side of this drawn memorial tablet.
Physical description
Plain gilt frame
Production
Person
Date
1938
History and association
Object history note
Exhibited: 'In Memoriam. Great War Remembrance at Eton', Verey Gallery, Eton College, 16 June to 12 November 2018 (catalogue number 24)
