Sketches, some probably by F. Cleyn the younger.

Scope and Content

A collection of 163 sketches in pencil and chalk, or in pen and wash, some probably by Francis Cleyn the younger (1625-50), of parts of bodies, draperies, small portraits, fish and animals, along with copies of or drafts for tapestries, all on separate sheets of paper pasted into a volume. The volume itself is probably seventeenth century, of paper leaves in a parchment cover. There are thirteen tapestry designs C drafts, copies or possibly cartoons C with scenes from the Bible and from classical mythology, including the Judgement of Solomon, Jonah and the Whale, Perseus and Andromeda, and a sequence of five of Cupid, starting with the blinding of Cupid by Venus, and possibly continuing with the story of Cupid and Psyche. Some of the drawings of tapestries are signed F. Clein f., probably for 'filius' (but possibly for 'fecit', and the drawings were therefore probably executed in the 1640s.

Administrative / Biographical History

Francis (or Franz) Cleyn the younger was the son of Francis Cleyn (1582-1658), decorative painter, illustrator and tapestry designer, who was chief designer of the Mortlake Tapestry Factory, for Charles I and under the Commonwealth.

Access Information

Open for consultation

Note

Compiled by Gwennyth Anderson

Other Finding Aids

Lists

Bibliography

The designs or copies of tapestries do not match those recorded at Mortlake, c.1651, as the property of the late King: THE INVENTORIES AND VALUATIONS OF THE KING'S GOODS 1649-1651 ed. O.Millar (Walpole Society, 43; 1972) p. 423; D.King, `Textile furnishings' in THE LATE KING'S GOODS: COLLECTIONS, POSSESSIONS AND PATRONAGE OF LES I IN THE LIGHT OF THE COMMOMWEALTH SALE INV;ORIES ed. A.MacGregor (London, 1989) pp. 308 14.