Artwork
Sutherland Album
Sutherland Album is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Paul Sandby. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Sutherland Album is a watercolour album containing sketches, prints, handwritten poems, and letter extracts, compiled by an unknown individual. It features works by various amateur artists, primarily members of the interconnected Howard and Sutherland families, along with their associates.
Subject & Meaning
, Lady Mary Howard as 'The Rose of Castle Howard'), residences (Castle Howard), and poetic tributes (notably to Elizabeth Howard, 5th Duchess of Rutland).
The album's content reflects strong family ties and personal connections among its contributors. Subjects include family portraits (e.g., Lady Mary Howard as 'The Rose of Castle Howard'), residences (Castle Howard), and poetic tributes (notably to Elizabeth Howard, 5th Duchess of Rutland). The handwritten literary pieces, such as a poem by Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire, further emphasize these familial bonds.
Technique & Style
The album showcases a range of amateur artistic skills through watercolours, sketches, and prints. While the technical proficiency varies, the overall style is characteristic of personal, intimate creations rather than professional artworks. The inclusion of both visual and literary elements highlights a holistic approach to memorializing thoughts and relationships.
History & Provenance
Clues to the album's compilation include the front cover signed 'M Rutland' and the back featuring Belvoir Castle, suggesting a connection to the Earls of Rutland. However, the exact compiler remains unknown. The album's creation can be contextualized within the tradition of 'commonplace books' popular among the aristocracy for recording memorable passages and artworks.
Context
The Sutherland Album fits within the 18th-century tradition of 'commonplace books' used by the aristocracy to collect memorable passages, artworks, and personal mementos. Similar examples include Paul Sandby's album, highlighting the album's place within a broader cultural practice of compiling personal and artistic treasures.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Sandby, (1731 – 7 November 1809) was an English mapmaker and painter who specialised in landscape art. Along with his older brother Thomas Sandby, he was one of the founding members of the Royal Academy in 1768.
