Studio: international art (80.1920)

THE DRAWINGS OF HENRY EDRIDGE, A.R.A.

" THE SCHOOLS, OXFORD, FROM HERT-
FORD COLLEGE GATE." LEAD PENCIL
DRAWING BY HENRY EDRIDGE, A.R.A.

Collection of Edward Marsh, Esq.,C.M.G.)

architectural subject with pure pencil
outline is his drawing of the Tour de la
Grosse Horloge at Evreux, which is in the
British Museum. The drawing, here re-
produced, of Notre Dame, which also
belongs to Mr. Girtin, and was no doubt
executed by the artist during a visit he
paid to France some four years before
his death in 1821, is likewise a master-
piece in pencil work. There the rich-
ness of the architecture of the twin
towers is beautifully suggested. A View
of Taunton and Pomeroy Church are
other drawings in Mr. Girtin's collec-
tion which point to another accomplish-
ment which Edridge possessed, namely,
his skill in drawing trees. His rendering
of the yew tree in the latter drawing and
his many sketches of woodlands show
that he studied the character of trees
carefully and had a true feeling for the
beauty of their growth. Mr. Girtin

possesses a charming study of an orchard
with a house beyond, in which Edridge
has drawn the old trees with a pen and
added washes of colour which produce
a quiet and harmonious effect, the pale
greens and greys of the trees contrasting
agreeably with the red brick house. 0
Edridge evidently enjoyed the study
of landscape and perhaps took it up as a
recreation from his portrait work. It is
said that he acquired his taste for it after
studying the work of Thomas Hearne,
which he probably saw in the collection
of his friend Dr. Munro. If he did, he
chose a very good master, and his pro-
gress as a landscapist, more especially with
the lead pencil, steadily continued up to
the time of his death. From careful and
delicate work his landscape drawings
developed in vision and breadth of
handling. Mr. Edward Marsh possesses
a fine drawing, The Schools, Oxford, from

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