English School, 19th. Century
A naval officer's sketchbook, circa 1855, titled "Sketches by An Officer"
A total of 64 pen, ink and watercolour sketches, including 'St.John's, Newfoundland';'Rio Janeiro'(sic); 'Murrays Anchorage, Bermuda' in a bound album, inscribed on inside cover 'Sketches by an Officer. Ut quimus, quando ut volumus non liset'('That we can, when as we will does not allow').
9 x 14cm. (3 1/2 x 5 1/2in.), (64)
Sold for
£5,497
inc. premium
Footnotes
- This charming sketchbook also includes numerous ship portraits which show vessels either flying flag signals or battling against adverse weather conditions, all of which are neatly explained in captions; together with a number of West Country coastal views such as the Edystone Lighthouse (sic) and Torkey (sic); the launching of a warship from a Thameside Yard; and a fascinating vignette of the Beef Boat at the Nore, presumably the small supply vessel which brought the fleet its fresh and salted beef.
In addition to the overseas views, the most interesting British topographical scene shows the two supporting towers of the uncompleted Clifton suspension bridge high above the Avon Gorge at Bristol. Although the design of the bridge was Brunel's first commission, the funds to build it ran out soon after the two towers had been erected in 1854 and the bridge remained unfinished for another ten years, Brunel himself having died in 1859.
Category: Fine Art / Marine Art
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