Lot 1
Attributed to the School of John Dunstall (Fl. 1644-1675)
Lot 1 Details
Attributed to the School of John Dunstall (Fl. 1644-1675), British
A POLLARD OAK NEAR WEST HAMPNETT PLACE, CHICHESTER
Watercolour and ink on vellum; signed “John Dunstall Fecit” in pen and ink lower left, inscribed “John Dunstall 1660” in pencil in a later hand verso
Sheet 4.25" x 5" — 10.8 x 12.7 cm.
Estimate $2,000-$3,000
Additional Images
Provenance:
Estate sale of a Private Collection, Magog, QC, circa 1996
Note:
John Dunstall (fl. 1644–1675) died in 1693. He lived in Blackfriars, London, where he published drawing books on natural history and other educational subjects. He was an English watercolourist, an engraver and a teacher. He called himself ‘John Dunstall, schoolmaster. …’
This work is very similar to the watercolour on vellum by Dunstall, circa 1660, also signed “John Dunstall fecit” lower left, that is held in the British Museum, London, UK, Inventory No. 1943,0410.1, measuring nearly the same size: 5 1/4” x 6 1/4” (13.4 cm. x 16 cm.). The composition of this lot is similar however, the figures at the right are different in their costumes.
Little is known of his early life. He wrote a number of manuals on drawing. According to the British Museum, it was quite common to make ‘limned’ copies of limnings in the late 17th and early 18th centuries – either the same artist might produce a copy, or a professional limner or a student. Since Dunstall was a drawing master, it is likely that this work is a copy by a student or follower of the artist.