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[3] Preliminary design for the south wall elevation of Queen Mary's Closet, incomplete save for the panels of painted wall decoration, the centre one with a landscape view
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Reference number
SM, volume 110/65
Purpose
[3] Preliminary design for the south wall elevation of Queen Mary's Closet, incomplete save for the panels of painted wall decoration, the centre one with a landscape view
Aspect
Elevation, with moulding profiles shown in section
Scale
5 feet to 3 inches (approx., as 10 feet is 5 9/10 inches) (same as 110/66)
Inscribed
In ink by George Dance at bottom left (bottom right in volume): Gd, and below in C19 hand: (65); and below centre of elevation in modern pencil (probably by A. T. Bolton): SOUTH SIDE
Signed and dated
- Undated, but probably c.1693-94
Medium and dimensions
Graphite under-drawing, with pen and brown ink additions for freehand profiles of mouldings and ceiling cove, and coloured gouache for paintings on wall panels, with some splashing of gouache on sheet Laid paper, laid down 315 x 446
Hand
Gibbons; the painted panels possibly by James Bogdani (see Notes)
Watermark
No watermark visible (countermark probably obscured by central painted panel)
Notes
This unfinished drawing reveals Gibbons's preparatory technique of drawing the lines of all the mouldings in fine graphite before adding the ink lines, and starting the ink drawing with the freehand moulding profiles. It is a more precise version of the technique in the preparatory designs for doors in the king's apartments (110/56 and 57) and confirms Gibbons's ability to draw out entire wall elevations himself. The elevation also demonstrates that the artist responsible for the painted wall panels was handed the drawing before Gibbons applied his pen and ink lines and washed shading. Like Hawksmoor, Gibbons would have added the wash before the ink lines.
Further research is needed on the author of the painted landscape panels (and other panels). The most likely candidate is James Bogdani, who was paid (as 'James Bogdain') for 'work by him done in the Queen's Looking Glasse Closett in the Thames Gallery in 1694' (Wren Society, IV, p. 28).
Further research is needed on the author of the painted landscape panels (and other panels). The most likely candidate is James Bogdani, who was paid (as 'James Bogdain') for 'work by him done in the Queen's Looking Glasse Closett in the Thames Gallery in 1694' (Wren Society, IV, p. 28).
Literature
Wren Society, IV, pl. 46, bottom
Level
Drawing
Exhibition history
Grinling Gibbons and the Art of Carving, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 22 October 1998 - 24 February 1999
Digitisation of the Drawings Collection has been made possible through the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation
If you have any further information about this object, please contact us: drawings@soane.org.uk