The present sketchbook contains observations on the pictures, sculpture, and buildings that Reynolds saw in Rome in 1750. The first half of the volume consists primarily of manuscript descriptions of Roman palazzi and churches, among them the Palazzo Borghese, the Palazzo Rospigliosi (Reynolds highly praises Guido Reni's fresco "Aurora"), S. Maria del Popolo, etc., whereas the second part of the volume is filled with drawings made after paintings and sculpture, and several landscape sketches. On the final pages Reynolds makes a list of the caricatures that he made in Rome, including Lord Charlemont, the infamous Irish nobleman who a few years later promised (but never came through with) financial support for Piranesi's "Antichità Romane".
Inscribed on vellum cover in pen and black ink, "Roma / anno - Jubilei 1750"; numbered above this, "64/3". On paper ticket pasted to vellum cover, "The property of J Re" [the rest of the paper ticket missing]. Numbered on sticker attached to lower left of binding, "211" and inscribed on paper sticker on spine, "Reynolds sketches &". Reynolds's collector's mark at upper center on vellum cover and on folio 2 (Lugt 2364). Inscribed and dated on first page of sketchbook in pen and black ink, "Frederick Locker - / 28 April 1893".
Watermark: page 15. Three mounts in circle, fragment.
Watermark: pages 84-85. Bird on three mounts, inside circle, with letters "ES" inside, letter " F" above circle.
Palmer, Mary, 1750-1820, former owner.
Locker-Lampson, Frederick, 1821-1895, former owner.
Church, Elihu Dwight, 1835-1908, former owner.
Dennis, Gertrude W., former owner.
Federico Barocci 1535-1612: L'incanto del colore, una lezione per due secoli, Siena, Santa Maria della Scala, October 2009-January 2010, p. 242, and nos. 172 and 173, repr.