drawing;
sketch-book
- Museum number
- 2002,0727.5
- Description
-
Sketch-book, bound in faux marbled cover of the estuary of the river Exe looking towards All Saints Church, Exeter; abstract and semi-abstract topographical views including several with a square tower. 1997-2000
Ink and wash
- Production date
- 1997-2000
- Dimensions
-
Height: 131 millimetres
-
Width: 145 millimetres
- Curator's comments
- For related paintings see 'John Virtue: Exe Estuary Paintings 1997-98', Spacex Gallery, Exeter (1998).
Artist's statement, taken from a letter to Frances Carey from the artist, 15 May 2002, in which he uses the third person:
"The 4 books [2002-7-27-5, 6, 7 & 8] acquired by the [British] Museum were produced between March 20th 1997-March 19th 2002, when the artist worked exclusively from the River Exe, Exe canal, and Exe estuary - a protected wetland and bird sanctuary between Exeter and the sea. The artist produced over 30,000 images in small bound sketch books either containing 50 or 62 sheets. The artist would draw one day a week (usually Thursday) using black felt pens usually water soluble and allowing "the weather" to work on the drawings.
"These drawings were then used in the studio in the centre of Exeter to make the paintings during the rest of the week. The artist used the drawings indiscriminately employing hundreds at a time to make the paintings that ranged from a few cms to 6 metres + in scale.
"During April 2002 the artist spent the whole month drawing the coastal alps in northern Italy, and in 2003 I will move the studio to the National Gallery to begin working on paintings based in London during a residency as artist at the National Gallery.
"The sketch books represent a period of intense activity in Exeter where drawing in the sketch books was as important as drawing in the large finished paintings."
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 2002
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 2002,0727.5
