An album of views of Torquay and its neighbourhood
Title
An album of views of Torquay and its neighbourhood
Date of Production
1854
Accession Number
D.2023.ST.8
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Location
Not currently on display
Related Works
Label Text
A daughter of the Norwich banker and Quaker John Gurney, the talented amateur artist Richenda Gurney was a sister of Elizabeth Fry, sister-in-law of the Abolitionist Thomas Fowell-Buxton (MP for Weymouth until 1839) and wife of George Borrow’s patron Rev. Francis Cunningham. She took drawing lessons from John Crome and Henry Bright and contributed to Britton’s ‘The Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain’ at the age of 29.
This album, made the year before Gurney died, records a trip to Devon and comprises 35 graphite drawings and two watercolours including views of Torquay, Teignmouth, Babbicombe, Watcombe, Ansteys Cove, Paignton, Cockingto and Chelstone, as well as eight other sites. The drawings and especially the two beautifully preserved watercolours show considerable skill and delicacy, as well as offering ample evidence of the artist’s powers of observation and creative mise en page.
This album, made the year before Gurney died, records a trip to Devon and comprises 35 graphite drawings and two watercolours including views of Torquay, Teignmouth, Babbicombe, Watcombe, Ansteys Cove, Paignton, Cockingto and Chelstone, as well as eight other sites. The drawings and especially the two beautifully preserved watercolours show considerable skill and delicacy, as well as offering ample evidence of the artist’s powers of observation and creative mise en page.
Provenance
Abbott and Holder, London, by 2023, where acquired by the Spooner Trust. Gifted to The Courtauld in November 2023.
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