Aedes Walpolianae, or a Description of the Collection of Pictures at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, the Seat of the Right Honorable Sir Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford (Interleaved with Drawings by Isaac Ware for: The Plans, Elevations, and Sections of Chimney Pieces, and Celings of Houghton Hall in Norfolk...1735) ["The Walpole Album"]
Binding and 70 disbound album leaves mounted with 77 prints, 47 drawings and 27 pages of text. The primary text is a manuscript prepared by Horace Walpole for the first edition of his "Aedes Walpolianae" (1747). This includes an undated title page, dedication, description and sermon (but not Whaley's "Journey to Houghton"). Other contents include drawings by Isaac Ware and Thomas Ripley relating to engraved illustrations in "The Plans, Elevations and Sections, Chimney-pieces and Ceilings of Houghton in Norfolk" (1735). Further leaves are mounted with descriptions of the art in the various rooms at Houghton, illustrated with related prints that range in date from 1550-1790. A few drawings of landscapes and figural subjects by various artists have also been inserted. Near the end, additional drawings by Isaac Ware record William Kent's designs for alterations made to Treasury House (No. 10 Downing Street), London which Sir Robert Walpole received as a gift from George II in 1732. The album is dated August 24, 1743 in Horace Walpole's hand and annotated by him throughout (although additions clearly were made long after 1743). See separate entries for each leaf, and for each mounted work, including several drawings now removed from the album.
Artwork Details
- Title: Aedes Walpolianae, or a Description of the Collection of Pictures at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, the Seat of the Right Honorable Sir Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford (Interleaved with Drawings by Isaac Ware for: The Plans, Elevations, and Sections of Chimney Pieces, and Celings of Houghton Hall in Norfolk...1735) ["The Walpole Album"]
- Author: Written and assembled by Horace Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford (British, London 1717–1797 London)
- Patron: Works collected or commissioned by Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (British, Houghton, Norfolk 1676–1745 London)
- Date: 1550–early 20th century
- Medium: Etching, engraving, pen and ink, brush and wash, watercolor
- Dimensions: Box: 22 5/8 x 31 x 7 3/8 in. (57.4 x 78.8 x 18.8 cm)
Leaves: 28 15/16 × 20 1/2 in. (73.5 × 52 cm) - Classifications: Albums, Ornament & Architecture, Prints, Drawings, Manuscripts
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1925
- Object Number: 25.62
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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