Finding aid for the Humphry Repton architectural and landscape designs, 1807-1813
Finding aid prepared by J. Gibbs.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Humphry Repton architectural and landscape designs
Date (inclusive): 1807-1813
Number: 850834
Creator/Collector:
Repton, Humphry, 1752-1818
Physical Description:
3.0 linear feet
(3 boxes, 2 flat file folders)
Repository:
The Getty Research Institute
Special Collections
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California, 90049-1688
(310) 440-7390
Abstract: English landscape designer. An assembled collection of drawings, letters and a report document Humphry Repton's designs for
gardens and buildings.
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Language: Collection material is in
English
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.
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.
http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa850834
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
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).
Oversize 1**
Items concerning the house and gardens at Ashridge,
undated
Oversize 1**
House and Flower Garden, Ashridge, Herts. by Stewart Torbron
Scope and Content Note
Title from caption. Ink and color wash plan.
Oversize 1**
Plan of grounds
Scope and Content Note
Color wash plan with annotations.
Oversize 1**
Schematic plan of grounds
Scope and Content Note
With color wash, ink and pencil; contains many annotations regarding landscape details.
Oversize 1**
Landscape design and plantings
Scope and Content Note
Handwritten document, 1 sheet, folded in half, describes the garden.
Oversize 2**
Drawings of Harleston Park, Northamptonshire, undated
Oversize 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
(?)
Oversize 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.
Oversize 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."
