Archival Collections Catalogue

The sketchbook includes preliminary sketches, line drawings, perspective views drawings, and gesture drawing, as well as cartoons and portraiture. The subject matter varies from studies of flowers, such as the iris, to floral patterning. It includes preliminary sketches for his book design--roughly indicating how Crane saw double page spread as a basic design unit. The sketches also include a pram, a house exterior, and furniture.

One of the cartoon sketches shows a man at pulpit with flag (possibly William Morris: see illustration of Speech of William Morris Speaking from a Wagon in Hyde Park, Artist Remininance, p.440)

Some of the legible words in Crane’s rough writing refer to artistic media such as “gesso” and techniques “silverwork,” “relief,” “wood carving,” and “stencils.” One page in particular is dedicated to the scribbled letters which make the words Bases of Design. This sketchbook notably predates Crane’s publication titled The Bases of Design, by one year.

Medium: pencil on paper

Crane, Walter, 1845-1915

1898