Artwork
Sutherland Album
Sutherland Album is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Harewood. It dates from 1812 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This is a drawing album called *Sutherland Album* made between 1800 and 1825. It’s a mix of watercolors, sketches, and prints with poems and letters pasted in.
Such albums were called “commonplace books.” They let people save poems and art they liked all in one place. The album holds works by family and friends, including Lady Cawdor and Henry Bunbury.
Look up the artist Harewood next.
Overview
The Sutherland Album is a compilation of drawings, watercolors, and prints, accompanied by handwritten poems and letter extracts, created between 1800 and 1825. It is an example of a 'commonplace book', a personal collection of cherished artworks and writings.
Subject & Meaning
The album's contents reflect the artistic and literary tastes of a close-knit family circle, primarily the Howard family and their connections. It includes works by amateur artists related to Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland, and her nieces, as well as family-associated poetry.
Technique & Style
The album contains a diverse range of artworks, including watercolors, sketches, and prints, showcasing the varied skills of its amateur contributors, such as Henry William Bunbury and Lady Cawdor.
History & Provenance
The compiler of the album is unknown, but clues such as the 'M Rutland' signature on the front cover and the depiction of Belvoir Castle on the back suggest a connection to the Rutland family.
Artist & collection
Artist
British artists around 1800 often filled slim books with quick sketches—views of towns, country lanes, and everyday buildings.
