Holly Street, Chagford

Description

Creator: Francis Towne (1739 - 1816)

Title(s)

Holly Street, Chagford

Date: 1815/08/28

Medium: Pencil, pen and grey ink, watercolour

Dimensions

image height 141mm,
image width 234mm

Inscription

sheet, verso
“No.1 / Holley Street Chagford / Francis Towne August 28th 1815 / from 5 to 6 in the afternoon”
in brown ink over pencil

Part of

1815 Sketchbook

Object Type: Watercolour

Collection

(D.1976.XX.14)

Catalogue Number: FT765

Description Sources: Examination; Museum records (image)

Provenance

Bequeathed by the artist in 1816 to James White of Exeter (1744–1825), on whose death it passed to Towne’s residuary legatee John Herman Merivale (1779–1844) and his successors. Merivale’s granddaughters Maria Sophia Merivale (1853–1928) and Judith Ann Merivale (1860–1945), both of Oxford, inherited the drawing in May 1915 as part of a sketchbook containing FT765 to FT786 which they gave to their cousin Mary Ann Loveband (b.1865, alive in 1951), who sold the book to Agnew’s on 17 May 1938 for £60. On 4 March 1939 Agnew’s (no.2687) sold this drawing to Rhoda Welsford (1893/94–1975) for £10 10s. and she bequeathed it to the present owner, The Courtauld Gallery (D.1976.XX.14).

Associated People & Organisations: Courtauld Gallery, London, London, 1975, D.1976.XX.14; Rhoda Welsford (1893/94 - 1975), 4 March 1939, GBP 10.10s; Thomas Agnew & Sons, London, 17 May 1938, GBP 60, no.2687; Mary Ann Loveband (1865 - alive in 1951); Judith Ann Merivale (1860 - 1945), Oxford, May 1915
Inherited as part of a sketchbook containing FT765 to FT786.; Maria Sophia Merivale (1853 - 1928), Oxford, May 1915
Inherited as part of a sketchbook containing FT765 to FT786.; John Herman Merivale (1779 - 1844), 1825; James White (1744 - 1825), Exeter, 1816

Comment

Chagford was a town on the eastern edge of Dartmoor.¹ Holly Street was a little west of Chagford itself:

Of picturesque scenery, of the highest kind, within 16 miles of the city [of Exeter], the upper parts of the river Teign contain many charming spots that would delight the admirer of such objects. The most convenient station for a visit, would be to sleep at Crockernwell, the first stage to Oakhampton, and go to Holystreet Mill, below Chagford, and ride or walk by the side of the river, crossing the rude bridges, and rambling in every direction, guided by the attraction of wild nature, a transparent stream tumbling over beds of granite, and fine wood scenery.²

by Richard Stephens

Footnotes

1 Donn 1965, pl.6b.
2 Williams 1827, pp.13–14.

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Provenance

Comment

Other entries in 1815 Sketchbook