Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Edward William Godwin. It dates from 28 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
" The drawing looks like it’s from 1879, and the notes suggest it’s for a house with specific rooms like a studio.
This is a hand-drawn floor plan with small, neat rooms outlined in pencil. The lines are precise, showing walls, doors, and windows with measurements written in the corners. There’s also a lot of handwritten notes about materials and details like "ash floors" and "studios."
The drawing looks like it’s from 1879, and the notes suggest it’s for a house with specific rooms like a studio. The artist used simple lines and shading to mark details.
If you like this kind of detailed drawing, check out cross-hatching.
Overview
These three hand‑drawn plans by Edward William Godwin illustrate interior furniture and a residential layout. Rendered in pencil, the sheets show a cupboard, a storage enclosure, a set of nested drawers, and a house‑and‑studio design for the artist Frank Miles on Tite Street, Chelsea. Precise measurements and material notes accompany the simple line work, indicating a functional design study from the late 1870s.
Subject & Meaning
The first two drawings focus on built‑in storage solutions, detailing dimensions, door placements, and finishes such as ash flooring. The third plan expands the scope to an entire dwelling, allocating spaces for living, work, and artistic production, reflecting the Victorian interest in integrating creative studios within private homes.
Technique & Style
Godwin employed clean pencil lines and modest shading to delineate walls, windows, and doors. Annotations in the margins record dimensions and material specifications, while the overall composition follows the conventions of 19th‑century architectural drafting, emphasizing clarity over ornament.
History & Provenance
Initial versions of the storage designs, catalogued as E.533 and E.556‑1963, were rejected by the Board of Works. Revised drawings, listed as E.554 and E.555‑1963, received approval. The rejected E.555‑1963 was later reproduced in *The British Architect* by C. P. Edwards, documenting its circulation among professional circles.
Context
Created around 1879, the drawings belong to a period when Godwin, a prominent architect and designer, was exploring modular furniture and integrated studio spaces for artists. The Tite Street commission aligns with the era’s burgeoning artistic community in Chelsea, where many painters sought purpose‑built workspaces.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edward William Godwin was a bit of a mystery. He liked to draw. One interesting thing about him is that he dated his drawings, so we can see how his style changed over time. Check out his 1855 drawing to see his early…
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