Design for Samuel Courtauld's Bookplate
Maker
1889-1946
Title
Design for Samuel Courtauld's Bookplate
Date of Production
c.1930
Medium
pen and ink on paper laid on board
Dimensions
Height: 13.5 cm
Accession Number
D.2024.XX.3
Mode of Acquisition
purchase, 2024
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust).
Copyright
Work in the public domain
Location
Not currently on display
Label Text
The use of frames in Nash’s work draws attention to the surreal nature of his landscapes. Enlarged to a monumental scale, the frame in this bookplate design alludes to Samuel Courtauld’s avid collecting practices and support for the visual arts. Within the enclosed, isolated scene a Martello tower commands the landscape. Martello towers were built on the east and south coasts of England to defend against the threat of invasion and are still a fairly common sight in the Courtauld family’s native Essex. A French flag sits on the tower, pointing towards Samuel Courtauld’s affinity for French art and the family’s Huguenot heritage. On the right, textile machinery references the industry through which the Courtaulds amassed their fortune.
Provenance
Estate of Stanley Jones MBE; purchased by the Samuel Courtuald Trust, 2024
Information on this object may be incomplete and will be updated as research progresses. We are particularly committed to addressing any discriminatory or offensive language and ideas that might be present in our records. To help improve this record, and to enquire about images of The Courtauld Gallery Collection, please email gallery.collectionsonline@courtauld.ac.uk. Find out more about using and licensing our images.
____________________________