Edward William Cooke RA (1811-1880) - Leyden (Leiden)

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. Cooke was particularly fond of visiting the Netherlands due to its dramatic coastline that he used to great effect in many of his important painting. He visited Leiden on several known occasions on 7th October 1837, 2nd July 1838, 17 August 1843 and 14th September 1843. [1]
 
This interesting work has the gothic church Hooglandse Kerk in the top right hand corner which Cooke has labelled with an arrow 'de Pancras Kerk'. This refers to St Pancras of whom the church is dedicated. Most of the structure dates to the 15th century and today is a a major Protestant church in the Netherlands. Interestingly, Cooke has used what appears to be a mirror to depict the street he is on in reverse. The gothic architecture of the city shines through with the Stadhuis Van Leiden visible through it's intricate spire on the left hand-side of the mirror.
 
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.
 
Medium: pencil on paper from Cooke's sketchbook, inscribed u.l. 'De Pancras Kerk' and l.l. 'LEYDEN', 10.2 x 16.4cm, mounted (24.7 x 30.5cm).
 
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, pp. 364-367.
 
Condition report: generally very good for its age with a small amount of time staining.