Expert: Jeni Andrews-Fraser - 4/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: A family member has a beautiful pen & ink original,60cm x30cmm of what we think is Notre Dame Cathedral Reim. The signature looks very like Richard D Winter but we are not sure.Can anyone help with some information on an artist with this name or a similar name.?

ANSWER: Hello Lucy - and thank you for your question.  Regretably, I am unable to help.  I have never heard of an artist by the name of Richard D Winter (or anything close to that).  You say that you think the scene is Notre Dame at Rheims - is there also a date or any other identifying mark that might help 'place' the artist.  Is there a definable 'style' to the watercolour (e.g. does it attempt a 'photographic' view or something more impressionistic.)  If we can identiy a style and a rough dating, it might help uncover more information.  I am sorry I am no help at this point, but if you find any more clues, I will be happy to continue a search for you. (can you send me a link to an image of the work?)

Cheers
Jeni

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The picture came to the family about 1917. The bottom LHS corner has a small detailed drawing of a bishops head holding his crook. The pen and ink is like an detailed Architectual drawing of the front of Rheims Cathedral. The signature may even be Richard DeWinter. We have been told to try the Samsonian Institute in USA for some clues but we dont even know what state this Institute is in.

Answer
Hello Lucy - and thanks for the follow-up.  The Smithsonian Insistute is in Washington DC (website: http://www.si.edu/)and is the umbrella organisation for some 19 museums and a great deal of scholarship. It would certainly be worth trying to follow up your quest through it, since you've been given the contact.  

In the UK you might try the V&A (http://www.vam.ac.uk/) or the National Gallery (http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/default.htm), which both have wonderful research and conservation departments.

I am wondering if there are further clues to your image:  are there any figures in it, or is it just of the facade of Rheims Cathedral.  Is the focus of the drawing on the architectural elements or do you think it has a more 'spiritual' dimension (you say it's like an architectural drawing - so I am guessing the former assessment might be the one you'd go for.)  Is there anything else written on the image (other than the cipher at the bottom left - which may, or may not, point to a maker.)  Are there any dates?

Sorry for the raft of questions, but I do like a challenge and if I can help you, I am delighted to pursue this further.

Cheers
Jeni