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Sketchbook of England
Sketchbook
Sketchbook of England
Hammatt Billings (American, 1816 to 1818–1874)
1865
Medium/Technique
Graphite on paper, fifty sketches
Dimensions
Sheet: 6.5 x 10.5 cm (2 9/16 x 4 1/8 in.); Overall: 7.5 x 10.5 x 1.5 cm (2 15/16 x 4 1/8 x 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Miss Mary Woodman
Accession NumberM28144.1
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsDrawings – Sketchbooks
DescriptionVery dark green morocco, with marbled paper liners and silver-colored clasp stamped inside: T.I. & J. SMITH / LONDON. Inside front cover: printed calendar marked "Almanack / 1863" and "Patentees and Manufacturers of the Improved / METALLIC MEMORANDUM BOOKS." Inside back cover (applied to pocket), printed label: TAUNTON/ & SONS. / BOOKSELLERS / 9, STRAND / LONDON / Est. 1756. Contains two printed pages advertising these books and Stamp Act Information (financial). In pencil 1/- (i.e. one shilling = cost of the book).
The papers of this "Metallic Memorandum Book" may have been treated so as to retain an image drawn with the accompanying metal pencil--now lost--and not smudge. Similar to a prepared paper for use with metalpoint.
Although the title was originally "Sketchbook of England" and the book is of English manufacture and purchased by the artist in London around 1863, most landscapes appear to be American. The subjects include landscapes, copies of paintings, studies of humans and animals. One drawing of a house dated Sept. 12 seems to be inscribed "S. Deerfield, but few are identified other than by date. (Sheets dated May 25, '65 and July 5th '65. Others bear dates of June, July, and Sept.). There are two highly finished drawings labeled "Ladies of Lima."
The papers of this "Metallic Memorandum Book" may have been treated so as to retain an image drawn with the accompanying metal pencil--now lost--and not smudge. Similar to a prepared paper for use with metalpoint.
Although the title was originally "Sketchbook of England" and the book is of English manufacture and purchased by the artist in London around 1863, most landscapes appear to be American. The subjects include landscapes, copies of paintings, studies of humans and animals. One drawing of a house dated Sept. 12 seems to be inscribed "S. Deerfield, but few are identified other than by date. (Sheets dated May 25, '65 and July 5th '65. Others bear dates of June, July, and Sept.). There are two highly finished drawings labeled "Ladies of Lima."
Signed
Inside front and back (cover or flyleaf) in pen and ink: Hammatt Billings / 17 Charlote St., Bedford Sq / London.
InscriptionsSee "signed"
ProvenanceMary Woodman, Cambridge, MA; gift to MFA, July 1920.