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Francis Grose (1731-1791) - Superb Original 18th Century Watercolour. Watercolour and pen and black ink. On laid paper, laid down on a larger sheet with a hand-painted border. Inscribed in pencil lower right. Inscribed. Condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration.Francis Grose (b. before 11 June 1731 – 12 June 1791) was an English antiquary, draughtsman, and lexicographer. He was born at his father's house in Broad Street, St-Peter-le-Poer, London. The eldest of seven children, Francis probably received a classical education but first aimed at a career in the Army. In 1747 he was in Flanders, apparently as a volunteer in Howard's (later 19th) regiment of foot: later he received a commission as cornet in Cobham's (later 10th) regiment of dragoons. Posted to Kent on excise duties in 1750 he met and married Catherine Jordan of Canterbury. They were eventually to have ten children, six of whom survived to adulthood. Grose had early shown a keen interest in drawing, having attempted sketches of medieval buildings as far back as 1749, and having taken formal instruction at a drawing school in the mid-1750s. He exhibited, first at the Society of Artists in 1767–8 and then at the Royal Academy. His interest was in the field of medieval remains, which were beginning to exercise an increasing grip on the public imagination. In 1772 he published the first part of The Antiquities of England and Wales, a work which he unashamedly aimed at the popular market. Essentially it targeted those who wanted to know about antiquities but had neither time nor means to visit them in person, and contained small panoramas of medieval ruins, together with an informative text on a separate page. Sometimes the text was taken from books already published, or from information supplied by other antiquaries (both acknowledged); sometimes Grose collated material himself from which he could work up an article. From 1772 onwards he also toured the country to visit and draw sites for inclusion in The Antiquities. The fourth and last volume came out in June 1776.For more information please click here.
Size
11.5 x 16.5cm (4.5" x 6.5")
Collection Information
Our collection of watercolours by Grose are the original sketches for "The Antiquities of England and Wales, Being a Collection of Views of the Most remarkable Ruins and Ancient Buildings, Accurately drawn on the spot. To each view is added An Historical Account of its Situation, when and by whom built, with every interesting Circumstance relating thereto. Collected from the best authorities" (1773-87).
