CALLCOTT, Sir Augustus Wall (1779-1844)

Papers of Sir Augustus Wall Callcott, 1786-1837, comprising travel journals and papers largely from Callcott's honeymoon in Europe in 1827-1828, notably including lists, descriptions and sketches of pictures from various art collections visited in Italy, Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia.

Born in Kensington, 1779; student of the Royal Academy, and began to paint portraits under John Hoppner, successfully exhibiting a portrait of Miss Roberts at the Royal Academy, 1799; his preference at this time was for landscapes, and after 1804 exhibited only these for a number of years; elected an associate member of the Royal Academy, 1806; elected a full member of the Royal Academy, 1810; married Maria Graham, a well-known author of the day, and visited Europe (including Italy for the first time), 1827-1828; knighted, 1837, and began to compose figure paintings as well as landscapes; appointed Conservator of the Royal Pictures, 1844; died 1844 and was buried at Kensal Green cemetery, London.

The records are arranged in three sections: lists of journals and pictures, and two series of miscellaneous papers.

Initial applications should be made to the Deputy Librarian, Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R ORN. At least one week's notice is generally required for access to archival material.

A detailed catalogue is available in the Courtauld Institute Library.

The records are in very poor condition, with many items in a fragile state. They should therefore be handled with care.

Sources: Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 1995); Courtauld Institute of Art catalogue; British Library On-Line Public Access Catalogue 97; National Register of Archives. Compiled by Julie Tancell as part of the AIM25 Project.

Papers, held at the Bodleian Library, Special Collections and Western Manuscripts, University of Oxford (ref: Accessions to repositories 1987).

Material may be photocopied subject to the approval of the Librarian or Archivist, and provided it does not breach the provisions of the Copyright Act, 1988.

Description of the chapel of the Annunziata dell' Arena; or Giotto's Chapel, in Padua by Maria Graham, afterwards Lady Callcott (T Brettell, London, 1835) With engravings from drawings by Sir Augustus Wall Callcott; Catalogue of the Beautiful Original Drawings and Sketches of ...Sir A Callcott ... also his small collection of pictures ... which will be sold by auction, etc. by Sir Augustus Wall Callcott (Christie and Manson, [London], 1854); Pictures by Sir A W Callcott, RA. With descriptions and a biographical sketch of the painter by James Dafforne (Virtue, Spalding and Co, London, [1875]); A Portfolio of Cabinet Pictures [in chromo-lithography]...after J M W Turner, Sir A W Callcott, J Constable, B Foster, etc (London, [1872-1874]); Augustus Wall Callcott by David Blayney Brown (The Tate Gallery, London, 1981). An exhibition catalogue containing useful information on Callcott, including essays on his life and relationship with J M W Turner.