ARTWORK HISTORY:
Our family is very much into "the Arts" in all it's forms, from music to art to chinaware and even classic old (quality) technology!
Our focus has always been landscapes, both Australian and New Zealand because we have connections with both countries but over the years we have collected works which, well, don't seem to fit well with our current collection!
This hand coloured lithograph is definitely one of those and it is now time to find another wall upon which to hang!
The Lithographer is identified on the lower right STANNARD & DIXON Lith.
Stannard & Dixon (Lithographers) were in business 1850 ~ 1870, based in London
Lithography is a flat surface printing technique, using stone (often limestone) upon which the drawing design is made. Special lithographic printing techniques were then used to transfer this image to special paper and, as in this case, hand coloured to achieve the result of a drawing resembling a watercolour.
The colouring used in this lithograph is two colour only, green and red. The colouring is VERY subtle and not bold at all.
THE ARTIST:
NOT signed, printed name on the lower left H.V LANSDOWN dal
H.V Lansdown was an artist of Bath who had a large collection of Bath "reminiscences" and it appears Mr H.V Lansdown Esq. passed away in the 1860's REFERENCE
SUBJECT OF THE PAINTING:
The Little Sodbury Manor house oozes history! Actually part of a larger estate and within the Sodbury Parish.
Often you will see references to historical figures of note such as King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn once being guests but it appears the history goes back way before this time.
Actually, when referring to this Little Sodbury manor house, ancient really means ancient. Records indicate the existence and ownership of the manor at least as far back as 1066 REFERENCE (extensive owner records beginning of page 9 of this document)
The manor house is near an important route used in "ancient times" that ran between Bath and the West Midlands.
From the information we have gathered over the years, at the time of this drawing, the Little Sodbury Manor House was the residence of a Dr. D. Hartley and his son, in the late 18th ~ early 19th centuries. It appears that just after this residence by Dr Hartley is when H.V Lansdown (Esquire) drew this artwork.
The focus of the drawing is the manor and although the property is surrounded by terraced gardens, these do not feature at all. It appears that the artist drew this picture from the top of the stone stairs leading to the entrance. Just to the left of the rooster you can just "make out" four chicks feeding.
H.K LANSDOWN - LITTLE SODBURY MANOR HOUSE (UK)
Hand coloured Lithographic drawing
Original Lithograph, NOT A PRINT!
We have examined the artwork very closely and it has definitely been hand coloured, particularly the foreground bushes, one bush near the entrance and the rooster and hen.
Artwork measurements:
168mm x 112mm
10mm border
Paper stock is unbranded but has a pencil inscription "Lithographic £3.50" lower right hand side
Paper measurements: 265mm wide x 174mm high
This Lithographic drawing was sitting behind glass and although it is behind glass presently, at some stage the drawing has been exposed because there are quite a few (light) brown spots, something akin to foxing in a book.
I have dusted the drawing with a soft brush but a slight "grubbiness" remains. Probably to be expected after 160 years!
To enable a really good close inspection, the drawing was removed from the frame (quite easy) and then re-installed once again within the rather "beaten up" frame with new "picture tape" - the old tape was in very poor condition anyway!
It appears that this hand coloured lithgraphically printed drawing has been "re-framed" in later years with a new border (not of the same age as the litho) and a rather old but quite ordinary wooden frame.
We have never seen another hand coloured lithographic drawing of this subject although you can find some "monochrome" prints if you search around enough (usually in Library collections)
I have seen a UK business online that promotes historical Bath features offering lithograph prints of exactly this drawing (NOT coloured) for A$150!!!
Shipping is no problem, we always take extreme care when sending delicate items.
