INVENTORY OF THE HUMPHRY REPTON ARCHITECTURAL AND
LANDSCAPE DESIGNS, 1807-1813
Finding Aid prepared by J. Gibbs
Getty Research Institute
Research Library
Special Collections and Visual Resources
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1688
Phone: (310) 440-7390
Fax: (310) 440-7780
Email requests:
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/library/reference_form.html
URL:
http://www.getty.edu/research/conduction_research/library/
©2006
J. Paul Getty Trust
INVENTORY OF THE HUMPHRY REPTON ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPE
DESIGNS, 1807-1813
Accession no. 850834
Finding aid prepared by J. Gibbs
Getty Research Institute
Contact Information:
- Getty Research Institute
- Research Library
- Special Collections and Visual Resources
- 1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
- Los Angeles, California 90049-1688
- Phone: (310) 440-7390
- Fax: (310) 440-7780
- Email requests:
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/library/reference_form.html
- URL:
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/library/
- Processed by:
- J. Gibbs
- Date Completed:
-
2005
- Encoded by:
- Aptara
©2006 J. Paul Getty Trust
Descriptive Summary
Title: Humphry Repton
architectural and landscape designs
Dates: 1807-1813
Collection number: 850834
Creator:
Repton,
Humphry, 1752-1818
Extent:
3 linear feet
(3
boxes, 2 flat file folders)
Repository:
Getty Research Institute
Research Libary
Special Collections and Visual Resources
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1688
Abstract: English landscape designer. An assembled
collection of drawings, letters and a report document Humphry Repton's
designs for gardens and buildings.
Language: Collection material is in
English.
Administrative Information
Access
Open for use by qualified researchers.
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Humphry Repton architectural and landscape designs, 1807-1813,
Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Accession no. 850834
Acquisition Information
Acquired in 1984 and 1985 in separate acquisitions and compiled by
the Repository. Report concerning the gardens at Ashridge is from the De Belder
Library.
Processing History
Processed by J. Gibbs
Biographical/Historical Note
English author and landscape designer, Repton is sometimes called the
sucessor to the landscape designer Lancelot “Capability” Brown,
though Repton was never as financially successful.
Initially untrained in architecture, landscape design, or gardening
when he began his career, Repton used his drawing skills to obtain clients.
Unlike other landscape designers, Repton left the exectution of his designs to
others. He produced books for his clients that showed before and after views to
help them visualize his designs. Usually in red bindings, these design
proposals became known as Repton's “Red Books” and perhaps
were the foundation of the books he published,
Sketches and Hints on Landscape
Gardening
(1795)
Observations on the Theory and Practice of
Landscape Gardening
(1803), and
Fragments on the Theory and Practice of
Landscape Gardening
(1816). An example of a Red Book can be found in
this collection.
Repton worked with his sons, the architect John Adey Repton and George
Repton. The Reptons practiced together and separately with the architect John Nash
prior to 1800.
Scope and Content of Collection
An assembled collection of drawings, letters, and a report document
Humphry Repton's designs for gardens and buildings. Garden designs were
proposed for Ashridge, Herts., owned by the Earl of Bridgewater, circa
1807-1813. (The designs were adapted and implemented after Repton's
death by Sir Jeffry Wyatville.) Three drawings present designs for the Earl of
Spencer's Harleston Park, Northamptonshire (undated). Four ink drawings
are designs by Humphry and George Repton for a lodge for Chas. Hoare
(Luscombe), circa 1810. A sketchbook with the title “A few hints
concerning landscape sketches” (circa 1810) was made by Repton and
describes how to use watercolor in landscape drawings.
Indexing Terms
Subjects - Names
Repton, Humphry,
1752-1818
Subjects - Topics
Architecture—Great
Britain--19th century
Landscape design—Great
Britain
Landscape drawing—Great
Britain
Genres and Forms of Material
Architectural
drawings—England—19th century
Sketches—England—19th
century
Contributors
Bridgewater, Francis
Henry Egerton, Earl of, 1756-1829
Repton, George
Stanley
Repton, J. Adey (John
Adey), 1775-1860
Torbron,
Steward
Box 1*
Report concerning the gardens at Ashridge, respectfully
submitted to the Earl of Bridgewater...by H. Repton,
1813
Scope and Content Note
Manuscript, bound volume in a red buckrum case. Text, followed by
plans and views in ink, some in watercolor. Copy photographs available, see Box
3.
Box 2, Folder 1
Letters and plan related to Ashridge,
1807-1808,
undated
Scope and Content Note
Items found in “red book” in box 1.
Box 2, Folder 1
Letter from William Wilkins submitting a proposal for
alterations to the buildings at Ashridge,
1807 Feb
24
Box 2, Folder 1
Letter from “Essex, ditto il piccolo
Palladio” proposing a house design,
1808 Oct
31
Box 2, Folder 1
Ground plan, with features labelled, in ink, unsigned,
undated.
Box 2, Folder 2
Drawings for a lodge for Chas. Hoare [Luscombe],
circa
1810
Scope and Content Note
4 ink drawings of a roof plan, south elevation, elevation with
gate detail, and roof section. Unsigned, undated. Drawings found in a copy of
Repton's
Fragments, marked on the cover
“Chas. Hoare Luscombe.” Apparently by Humphry and George Repton
in conjunction with John Nash's work at Luscombe castle.
Box 2, Folder 3
A few hints concerning landscape sketches,
circa
1810
Scope and Content Note
Small sketchbook, bound in red leather with former owner's
label inside, in which Repton shows how to prepare sketches and lay on
watercolors of different values. Prepared for C. J. Wall, with inscription on
last page.
Box 3*
Photographic surrogates of Report concerning the gardens
at Ashridge...
Scope and Content Note
Comprising black-and-white photographs (8x10), and color
photographs (11x14).
Flat file folder 1**
Items concerning the house and gardens at Ashridge,
undated
Flat file folder 1**
House and Flower Garden, Ashridge, Herts. by Stewart
Torbron
Scope and Content Note
Title from caption. Ink and color wash plan.
Flat file folder 1**
Plan of grounds
Scope and Content Note
Color wash plan with annotations.
Flat file folder 1**
Schematic plan of grounds
Scope and Content Note
With color wash, ink and pencil; contains many annotations
regarding landscape details.
Flat file folder 1**
Landscape design and plantings
Scope and Content Note
Handwritten document, 1 sheet, folded in half, describes the
garden.
Flat file folder 2**
Drawings of Harleston Park, Northamptonshire,
undated
Flat file folder 2**
Harleston Park, Northamptonshire; the property of Earl
Spencer,
Scope and Content Note
Title from caption. Detailed black ink drawing shows view of the
house and grounds. Unsigned; dates to the later 19th century (?)
Flat file folder 2**
Harleston House as designed by The Reptons
1808-1811
Scope and Content Note
Title from pencil caption on drawing. Ink and color wash
elevation, mounted on board.
Flat file folder 2**
The Deer Park
Scope and Content Note
Title from caption. Ink and wash ground plan, mounted on board.
Other writing on drawing includes legend: “Ground-plan of the house,
offices, stables, courts, yards, gardens, etc. at Harleston Park in
Northhamptonshire a seat of Robert Andrew, Esq. as designed and directed in its
execution by H. & J.A. Repton, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811.”
