A HISTORY OF
WANDSWORTH COMMON

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Wandsworth Common

Samuel Hieronymus Grimm (1733-1794)



The Illustrated London News Christmas Number 1942

"Unfamiliar aspects of Greater London: Grimm's drawings of the 18th century". It is curious that the ILN should choose to print such pics at the the height of WWII. Any ideas why?

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ENGLAND in the 18th Century

The most fascinating and picturesque period in the history of our country, and one which has proved an inspiration to countless authors and artists. Among the latter was Samuel Hieronymus Grimm, a Swiss, who arrived in England in 1768 and who, for 26 years, with pen and brush, moved ceaselessly about the land of his adoption, recording for posterity the social life and scenes of the period. He had a real enthusiasm for nature, and took delight in drawing peaceful corners of urban and rural districts, everyday scenes and everyday people, and buildings of historic interest.

The examples of his work reproduced on this page show parts of London and its environs: Wandsworth, for example, which derives its name from the Wandle and the Anglo-Saxon worth, signifying a village or shore, was then a thriving village with the famous common, a wide and beautiful expanse known chiefly for the pike-fishing in its Black Lake. Near the Common is Battersea Rise, which Grimm shows as a quiet country lane with a solitary cottage lost amongst trees.

Turnham Green, so called, according to some, from the mediaeval turnum, the court of the hundred or sheriff, is another interesting spot: here stands the famous inn the " King of Bohemia," reputed to have been the resort of highwaymen, a credible story when one remembers that it was surrounded by common land and open fields.

Returning to London proper, Grimm shows us two aspects of Marylebone in the 18th Century. How different and how much more beautiful than that district to-day!



"A view of Wandsworth Common in the 18th century"

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"Battersea Rise near Wandsworth Common"

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"Another view of Battersea Rise near the Common"

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"Another view of Wandsworth Common"

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SHG: View of Wandsworth Common, pen and ink, at auction, 2014



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Lot 76: Samuel Hieronymus Grimm (1733-1794) - Wandsworth Common,

Auctioneers: Dreweatts 1759

July 24, 2014

London, United Kingdom

Samuel Hieronymus Grimm (1733-1794) - Wandsworth Common,

pen and ink, monochrome wash, on laid paper, title inscribed lower right in pencil, 16 x 23 cm. (6 1/4 x 9 in) Provenance: Sir Bruce Ingram (Lugt 1405a), collector's stamp verso; Mount Gallery, London (gallery label on reverse); Private collection, UK.

[Source: Link.]



Artnet: Samuel Hieronymus Grimm.

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[I wonder how many pics Grimm made of Battersea and Wandsworth? They're presumably in the BL somewhere, and presumably catalogued. But where? I had a quick look for them online but couldn't see them. Try again. There is only one pic in the ArtUK listing, of Wales.]