A Matter of Convenience
 |
Two friends, and apprentices of the master were almost certainly tempted to an act of sacrilege by this image (I like to think). Who were they and why?
Clues:
1. A particular northern view; of Newcastle high church
2. Within weeks of this TINY, but defiant act of sacrilege - which has
gone unnoticed for 200 years - the two good friends were parted. One
died under tragic circumstances, the other: achieved fame and fortune in
London.
3. Each by different means, left this undiscovered sacrilegious joke; against a more substantial northern wall...
Robert Johnson, who tragically died under horrible circumstances, was a great pal of Charlton Nesbit; each of whom were bound to their master at the Beilby and Bewick workshop.
Johnson, a precocious
talent, made one of best ever watercolour drawings of the North View of
St. Nicholas' Church, Newcastle. Now within the collection of the Laing
Art Gallery, Newcastle, and not often on public view, it can be accessed
online and is well worth a look.
But that's not all: The young Robert made two versions of this view, one
of which is intended for those of a genteel disposition; the other,
pleasingly full of social commentary. The second version has in the far
distance, perhaps to the consternation of those shown lingering near the
church wall, a tiny figure making a convenience of Newcastle's 'high
church'.
The message is
clear, and would not have been missed by Bewick who, around this time,
to the displeasure of his daughters, cut on wood the Pigsty Netty and
Peeing Pedlar.
TB is traditionally said to have drawn the two young
boys hitching a lift on the carriage; maybe he did, and they are
intended to represent Johnson and Nesbit?
Nesbit, within weeks of
Johnson's death, and for the benefit of his family, engraved on wood the
most extraordinary copy of Johnson's view, on twelve joined blocks full
of exquisite detail; the print is now rarely to be found, the joke
unrecognised.
G.C.
The print version is available on the British Museum site here
Comments