Drawings of Antiquities in the Society's Albums c 1750–1860

Abstract

Now that the cataloguing and digitization of the drawings of archaeological artefacts in the Society's albums is nearing completion, an overview of a few of the highlights can be offered to illustrate the range of material and the way it has been used by scholars in recent years to reassess the provenance and significance of some of the most important finds of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The role of the Society and its artists in producing this archive is considered with reference to the Minutes of the Council.

John Carter, FSA (1748–1817): ‘The Ingenious, and Very Accurate Draughtsman’

“…51.Others of considerable ability who followed him, without necessarily being given the title, were Jacob Schnebbelie, Thomas Underwood, Richard Smirke and Charles Stothard: Lewis 2007, 368–75.…”

“…18). Although unsigned, the drawing of the bronze plaques can be attributed to Carter because of his note (in Carter 1786–93, iv, 54) that he had drawn for the Society ‘ancient statues found in the cabinet of late Mr Bentham’ [ie Betham] (see also Lewis 2007, 380); the drawing, which shows more plaques than have survived, is in SAL, Early Medieval Antiquities 2, and is reproduced in Hayward Gallery 1984, 243. Other subjects are identified in Carter 1786–93: nos 365–8 in vol iv and nos 593–8 and 607–9 in vol v .…”

“…62.Carter also drew monuments at Winchester for the Society of Antiquaries, but Schnebbelie had to finish them; Carter completed the font: SAL, Red Portfolio (Hants) ii , 12–15 (Lewis 2007, 375). For Carter's drawings of the Mappamundi, see Bailey 2006.…”