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Drawing

ca. 1844 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is one of a number of designs for picture frames for the Earl of Shrewsbury. Pugin and J. G. Crace collaborated on the decoration of Alton Towers for the Earl of Shrewsbury. This design was to be executed by J.G. Crace, perhaps for the chapel, for Lord Shrewsbury.

This work is discussed by Pugin in a letter to Crace dated 27 March 1844; 'I should recommend the canopies to be hatched with black lines on the gold as you may have seen in some old German works, but I would not have any positive shadow as the panel represents Richard II. The arms should all be the same. I will send up the 2 images in the niches tomorrow with the colour marked'.

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-52) is widely considered as one of the most significant and influential architects, designers and theorists of the 19th century. Following his conversion to Catholicism in 1835, he identified the Gothic style with Christian architecture and his work and writings inspired and framed the Gothic Revival. In 'Contrasts', published in 1836, he condemned classical forms and ardently praised 14th and 15th-century architecture. Pugin is best remembered for his work on the Palace of Westminster.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Pencil, pen and black ink, yellow wash
Brief description
One of 9 sheets of designs for Alton Towers, A.W.N. Pugin, 1844.
Physical description
Full size details of half of a decorative quatrefoil, which seems to represent carved work and be intended to contain statues. The decoration includes the medieval arms of England, a shield with the cross of St. George, the Virgin and Child, a lion sejant and the white hart of Richard II.
Dimensions
  • Height: 540mm
  • Width: 407mm
Style
Object history
To be executed by J.G. Crace, perhaps for the chapel, for Lord Shrewsbury. This work is discussed by Pugin in a letter to Crace dated 27 March 1844; 'I should recommned the canopies to be hatched with black lines on the gold as you may have seen in some old German works, but I would not have any positive shadow as the panel represents Richard 2d. The arms should all be the same. I will send up the 2 images in the niches tomorrow with the colour marked'.
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
This is one of a number of designs for picture frames for the Earl of Shrewsbury. Pugin and J. G. Crace collaborated on the decoration of Alton Towers for the Earl of Shrewsbury. This design was to be executed by J.G. Crace, perhaps for the chapel, for Lord Shrewsbury.

This work is discussed by Pugin in a letter to Crace dated 27 March 1844; 'I should recommend the canopies to be hatched with black lines on the gold as you may have seen in some old German works, but I would not have any positive shadow as the panel represents Richard II. The arms should all be the same. I will send up the 2 images in the niches tomorrow with the colour marked'.

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-52) is widely considered as one of the most significant and influential architects, designers and theorists of the 19th century. Following his conversion to Catholicism in 1835, he identified the Gothic style with Christian architecture and his work and writings inspired and framed the Gothic Revival. In 'Contrasts', published in 1836, he condemned classical forms and ardently praised 14th and 15th-century architecture. Pugin is best remembered for his work on the Palace of Westminster.
Bibliographic reference
Alexandra Wedgwood, A.W.N. Pugin and the Pugin Family , London; V&A, 1985, pp. 175-176.
Collection
Accession number
D.762-1908

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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