New search

Back to Start

1844

Pastel.
24 x 33.7cm

This watercolour is typical of the type of work Sandys produced for the Rev Bulwer's 'Norfolk Collection'.

The picture shows the tomb of Sir Edward Clere in Blickling church, a scene also painted by John Sell Cotman. The Cleres inherited Blickling Hall and estate in the late 1500s. The previous owners were the Boleyn family, relatives of Anne Boleyn the second wife of Henry VIII. Edward Clere had been knighted by Elizabeth I in 1580 and the family was extremely wealthy. Edward, however, squandered away the fortune and died a bankrupt in 1611. His widow was forced to sell the house. In view of Sandys' own later life the choice of Edward Clere seems rather apt!

Compared to Cotman's painting, this is a far less atmospheric but more detailed scene. Sandys loved decoration and design and must have enjoyed painting the tomb. He has painted everything exactly - the scale is a precise one inch to a foot. In the right hand corner we can see the title and date of the painting written in what became Sandys' characteristic red gothic script.

Bequeathed by R.J. Colman, 1946
Museum number  NWHCM : 1951.235.1223.B27 : F