The Appeal of Works on Paper

The late 18th and early 19th centuries are widely regarded as the Golden Age of British watercolours. The achievements of artists such as Cotman, Cox, Girtin, Sandby and de Wint helped elevate watercolour from a largely preparatory medium to an independent art form, capable of expressing atmosphere and capturing the transient effects of light with remarkable immediacy. Their works preserve a vision of Britain that has, in many instances, changed beyond recognition and permit the viewer to experience something of the artist’s original encounter with their subject.

Sketches by masters such as Reynolds, Gainsborough and Turner allow us an insight into the artist’s creative thought processes with preliminary pencil lines, exploratory washes, pentimenti and passages left deliberately unresolved. Spontaneity, experimentation and vitality are demonstrable. The most revealing and engaging pieces are not always the most highly finished, but those that convey the first spark of inspiration.

Provenance: A Connoisseur's Eye

The joy of English watercolours often lies in subtlety rather than grandeur: a delicate wash of colour, a fleeting atmospheric effect or a few assured strokes that capture the essential character of a subject. Many of these works on paper once belonged to multiple distinguished and informed collectors, who all celebrated the qualities of these works and the discerning eye of their previous owners, mere guardians of these pictures before they were passed on to the next generation. It is a tangible and historically rich field in which to build a collection and their artistic significance is firmly established with genuine appreciation, rather than speculative fashion.

Condition: What to look for

Watercolour is an inherently delicate medium, and its sensitivity is part of its beauty. The transparency of the washes, the luminosity of the paper and the subtlety of the pigments create effects that can be difficult to replicate in other media. However, these qualities also make works on paper vulnerable to fading, discolouration and damage.

Although conservation issues should never be overlooked, they need not be a deterrent. Many problems associated with works on paper can be assessed and, in suitable cases, addressed by a qualified paper conservator.  New acid-free mounts can transform the look of a work and UV filter glass can help preserve the pigments. The key is to understand the condition before buying and to weigh any potential conservation costs against the work’s artistic merit and price. Do speak to one of our specialists for their advice.

There is an immediacy in the handling of pencil or watercolour washes which is timeless, especially plein air sketches and studies, or works made by an artist for their own diversion, these are particularly appealing and sit equally well alongside modern furniture or works of art.

For those prepared to look carefully, there is much to discover and much to recommend in this field of collecting. In a market where value and artistic quality do not always move in step, British watercolours offer a compelling proposition. For collectors who appreciate the poetry of light, the character of a place and the immediacy of an artist’s first thoughts, now may be an especially opportune time to buy.

Dreweatts Auctions

With three auctions a year of Old Master, British and European Art, as well as single owner collections, these sales offer a plethora of enticing artworks from early Old Master paintings, period portraits from the 17th and 18th centuries, alongside Victorian and British Impressionist art and international works spanning the breadth of the 16th century up to the early 20th century.

With auction previews at our gallery on Pall Mall, London and at our country-house salerooms in Newbury, Dreweatts operates at both a local and an international level, with buyers and consignors from all over the world.

Upcoming auctions

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