Edward William Cooke RA (1811-1880) - Chateau de Tarascon, River Rhône c.1845

Edward William Cooke was meticulous at documenting his sketching tours in the UK and abroad. We are fortunate to have extensive details of his trips. This work depicts the Chateau de Tarascon on the River Rhone in Provence, France. It is close to Avignon which Cooke took a particular interest in sketching and was there between 10th and 15th August 1845. [1] It is likely that our drawing was from this same sketching tour.
 
The Château de Tarascon is a medieval castle in Tarascon in the Bouches-du-Rhône region in the south of France. The fortress stands on the banks of the Rhône opposite the Château de Beaucaire, and close to St Martha's Collegiate Church. It helped to ensure the security of the western border of Provence.
 
It is drawn on tracing paper and it is likely that Cooke drew this sketch with the aid of a camera lucida. Works by any artist on tracing paper from this period are very rare. We have another by Cooke of Rome currently for sale.
 
This drawing came directly from the studio of Cooke and has been in the same collection since this time through descent. We have several other drawings from this collection currently for sale including an important view of Rome that was clearly used for his Royal Academy exhibition piece of the city and was also created on tracing paper.
 
Medium: pencil on tracing paper from Cooke's sketchbook, 13.1 x 20.7cm, mounted (27.5 x 34.9cm).
 
Provenance: Studio of the artist, thence by descent to the previous owner.
 
Literature:
 
[1] John Munday. E.W. Cooke 1811-1880: A man of his time, London: 1996, p. 291.
 
Condition report: generally good for its age and some time staining. The drawing is fragile as it is on tracing paper. There is a tear of about 3 cm in the lower left hand corner. Please see photos.