John Samuel Hayward (1778-1822) - Knaresborough Castle

Hayward visited north Yorkshire in September 1813 and completed various pen and ink drawings of places of interest. Interestingly, Wooley and Wallis had a work very similar to this one as lot 99 for sale back in September 2017. It is also in pen and ink and depicts the ruins of Easby Abbey (Abbey of St Agatha) near to Richmond. The work is dated Sep 13 1813 and was therefore completed four days before this picture. In both sketches Hayward has drawn the outline of the ruins in great detail. This would have allowed him to choose which compositions he wanted to work up into exhibition pieces.
 
Knaresborough Castle was a picturesque site for many artists to draw with a great historical interest. The castle was built by the Normans back in c.1100 and was in constant use until the civil war. Since it was a Royalist fortress, after Cromwell took control of the country he ordered its destruction.
 
The style Hayward has used is similar to works he created at the Sketching Society (1799-1851) for which he was a member. The group is described in greater detail on other listings on the website. However, it is worth noting that Hayward and Joshua Cristall often used pen and ink to supplement their sepia washes
 
Inscribed l.l. 'Ruins of Knaresborough Castle, Sep 17 1813', 13.1 x 16.8 cm, mounted.
 
Provenance: Dr Edward Brett Collection; Sotheby's 'Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century British Drawings and Watercolours and Portrait Miniatures' sale, 11 July 1991, lot 107.
 
Condition report: Recently put in an acid free double mount. The drawing has been folded slightly in the past which can be seen in the photographs.