Code: 11715
Dimensions:
"The Tapestry Of Bayeux"
After Charles Stothard F.S.A. (1786-1821)
Engraved by James Basire II (1769-1822)
A series of etchings with original hand colouring
Published by the Society of Antiquaries
London, 1819-1823
Each Measures (Approx):-
47.5 cm high x 72 cm wide (platemark):
54 cm high x 76 cm wide (sheet):
Sixteen folio-sized coloured engravings (Plate 1 absent) including one plate (Plate 17) representing a life-sized section of the tapestry.
Provenance:-
The Sitwell family of Weston Hall
Lot 557, Dreweatts "Weston Hall and the Sitwells: A Family Legacy", 16-17 November 2021.
In 1815 Charles Stothard was appointed historical draughtsman to the Society of Antiquaries in London. Now free to travel to Europe, following Napoleon's downfall, the Society commissioned Stothard to go to France to make an accurate record of the historic 11th-Century needlepoint tapestry describing the events leading up to the death of King Harold and the triumph of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
The tapestry was then held in the Hôtel de Ville of Bayeux and stored as a 230 feet long and 20 inch wide coil of fabric, wrapped around a large wooden spool. Stothard made three trips to France between 1816 and 1819 to view the tapestry in situ. The illustrations he made were engraved by James Basire II and published between 1819 and 1823 as part of the series of scholarly publications "Vetusta Monumenta". These published plates (each hand-coloured to Stothard's instructions) became the first accurate full-colour reproduction of the whole of Bayeux Tapestry as it appeared at that time. They did much to secure its fame as one of the world's most important cultural artefacts and a masterpiece of Romanesque art.
Note on the Provenance:-
This particular set of plates here came from the library of the Sitwell family seat at Weston Hall in Northamptonshire. Perhaps the most famous members of this celebrated family being the celebrated siblings, writers, historians and literary figures Dame Edith Sitwell (1887-1964), Sir Osbert Sitwell (1892-1969) and Sir Sacheverell Sitwell (1897-1988). These three would, presumably, have directly known and handled these prints.
Condition:-
Generally in good condition. Particulatly versatile for being unframed and unbound. Some discolouring, spotting and staining to the edges etc. Historic creasing, frits and minor tears - some tears carefully closed with reversible, conservation-quality tissue tape.
