William Delamotte (1775-1863) - Ashby de la Zouch Castle
William Alfred Delamotte was a drawing master and landscapist. He won the patronage of George III when a boy at Weymouth, and he was placed under Benjamin West and at the R.A. Schools in 1794 at the King's instigation. His career was largely spent in Oxford, where he inherited Malchair's drawing practice, and in the Thames Valley. In 1803 he was appointed drawing master at the R.M.A., Great Marlow. In 1805 he was one of the first Associates elected to the O.W.S., but retired after three years. He seems to have visited Paris in 1802, and often returned to the Continent after 1819. Although his earliest works are sometimes said to be close to those of Girtin, his style shows very little change. [1]
This watercolour by Delamotte is dated the 26th August 1801 and shares similarities to the topographical drawings by Girtin and Turner from this period. It has the interesting inscription u.l. 'where Jane Shore was scouted by Lord Hastings.' This refers to Elizabeth "Jane" Shore (née Lambert; c. 1445 – c. 1527) and Lord William Hastings (c. 1431–1483). Jane Shore had many love interests including King Edward IV who was a close friend of Lord Hastings. She was also a mistress of Lord Hastings and Delamotte was clearly aware that they first met at Ashby de la Zouch Castle. The castle was built by Hastings in 1473 in Leicestershire and their family used it as a Seat for several generations. However, during the civil war the family were Royalists and the castle was besieged. Eventually they were forced to surrender and after a further rebellion in 1648 gunpowder was used to damage much of the castle.
Today the castle is run by the English Heritage.
Medium: watercolour on paper, inscribed u.l. 'Aug 26 1801 Where Jane Shore was scouted by Lord Hastings *Edward Ashby de la Zouch Castle' and signed l.r. ' Wm Delamotte 1801', 25.2 x 34.4cm, mounted (42 x 51.4cm).
Provenance: Iolo Williams Collection.
Literature:
[1] Huon Mallieu (2002), 'The Dictionary of British Watercolour Artists up to 1920: Volume I A-L', Antique Collectors Club: Woodbridge, p.208. See entry on artist.
Condition report: general time staining with a few creases, marks and scattered foxing. There is a small tear at the bottom along with small amounts of surface abrasions. There is a very small hole in the bottom left.