Frontispiece, leaf from 'A Collection of Dresses by David Allan Mostly from Nature'
Artist
David Allan
(Alloa, Scotland, 1744 - 1796)
Date1776
Mediumpen, ink and watercolour on paper
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
Dimensions33.2 x 26.5 x 3.2cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1986 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions and the National Art Collections Fund.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG007557.2
About MeThis album of watercolour drawings of traditional costume was compiled by Scottish artist David Allan when he was travelling through France and Italy between 1770-1776. However, the sixty-one watercolours are not merely records of costumes. Rather, they are small genre scenes with figures set in streets or landscapes and were painted in Rome, Florence, Naples and several other places that Allan visited on his European tour. The well-known art critic Brian Sewell, has described this album as "witty, mischievous and frankly pretty". The colours are in pristine condition and give a delightful glimpse of the lighter side of the Grand Tour.More About Me
Before the 20th century, first names were often abbreviated in historical documents, often for reasons of space. Here is a very usual abbreviation of David