Lot 34: Edward Bradley (fl. 1824-1867)

View of the Thames from Richmond Hill signed and dated 'E Bradley 1845' (lower left) oil on panel 18 5/8 x 341/4 in. (47.6 x 87 cm.) PROVENANCE Henry Watkins, Pleasure Gardens Theatre, Folkestone; Christie's, 22 March 1897, lot 106 (22 gns. to Chancellor). Lady Martin. NOTES 'Heavens! What a goodly prospect spreads around, of hills, and dales, and woods, and lawn and spires and glittering towns and gilded streams'. So wrote the poet James Thomson in 1727 of this view, in lines which were to inspire J.M.W. Turner to paint England: Richmond Hill on the Prince Regent's Birthday. Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1819, no. 206, and now in Tate Britain, it was one of Turner's most celebrated works, and led many artists to depict the prospect from the same viewpoint. The hill has had many famous residents, having been a favoured retreat from the city since the 16th century. Mrs Fitzherbert was said to have been living there when she met her future husband, the Prince of Wales, later George IV, and Sir Joshua Reynolds lived in Wick House, built by Sir William Chambers in 1771, from 1772 until his death twenty years later. Bradley exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1824 and 1844, principally views of London and Hampshire.