International Art

December 0106, 2018
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LOT 803

Lot 803

John Robert Cozens (1752-1797)

John Robert Cozens (1752-1797)
Lot 803 Details
John Robert Cozens (1752-1797), British

NAPLES FROM SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON’S VILLA, PORTICI, 1782

Pencil, pen and grey wash on paper; titled “Portici” in the margin below the image bottom centre, inscribed “Dutuit” in the upper margin, signed “Cozens” in sepia ink verso and inscribed by another “Portici, with the Royal Palace on the right” and further inscribed: “J.R. Cozens was at Portici in Aug. 1782” in pencil verso and to a green label from previous framing affixed to the present backing paper verso
Image/Sheet 7 x 9.25 in — 16.5 x 23.5 cm; 8.5 x 11.5 in — 21.6 x 29.2 cm

Estimate $3,000-$5,000

Realised: $14,400
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
John Robert Cozens (1752-1797)
  • John Robert Cozens (1752-1797)
  • John Robert Cozens (1752-1797)
Provenance:

From the collection of Eugene Dutuit, Rouen (1807-1886), author of “Manuel de l’Amateur d’Estampes, Oeuvres Complet de Rembrandt” inscribed in another hand in pencil verso;
William Delamotte;
Stanhope Shelton Limited, Suffolk, UK;
From whom purchased by the Private Collection, Hamilton, Ontario in 1981

Literature:

A.P. Oppé, “Alexander & John Robert Cozens”;
Hamilton book, Volume II, No. 9 (Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester), Approved F.W.Hawcroft, Whitworth Gallery;
Cozens Exhibitions, V & A and Whitworth p. 54, J.R. Cozens catalogue, 1971

Exhibited:

Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 1971;
Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, 1971 (similar drawings in both exhibitions, possibly not this lot);
Art Gallery of Hamilton, Ontario, 1999 in “Private Obsessions”

Note:

John Robert Cozens made two trips across the Alps and to Italy first in 1776-1779 and then in 1782-83 with William Beckford (1760-1844) of England as his draughtsman. Beckford was also a patron and commissioned Cozens to record Italian views before they commenced their journey in May 1782. The artist took several sketchbooks with him. On this trip, Cozens and Beckford travelled to Naples via Venice, Padua and Ferrara.

They arrived in Naples in early July, 1782 where they were guests of Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803), the British Envoy in Naples. Cozens sketched this bird’s-eye view of Naples from the villa in which the artist and his draughtsman stayed the summer of 1782.

Cozens returned by himself to Rome and from there back to England in 1783. The sketchbooks executed during the tour provided material for watercolours he produced over the next nine years in London.

Beckford kept the larger, finished watercolour related to the drawing in this lot. Entitled “Naples and the Bay Seen from the Villa of Sir William Hamilton at Portici” and dated 1782, it was completed in different tones, in monochromatic shades of blue, and measuring 9.1” x 14.3” (23.2 x 36.5 cm)

The seven sketchbooks that have survived from Cozens’ tour are housed in the Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester.

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 803
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.