Lot 36: Francis Towne (Middlesex 1739-1816 London)

Francis Towne (Middlesex 1739-1816 London) Villa Adriana, Tivoli, Italy signed, inscribed, dated and numbered 'No. 41 May 22. 1781. Villa Adriana. Light coming on the left-hand side. Francis Towne' (according to a typed label on the backboard) pen and black ink and watercolour, fragmentary watermark 6 x 8 in. (15.2 x 21.6 cm.)

Leeds, City Art Gallery, Exhibition of Early English Watercolours, 1958, no. 92.

A.P. Oppé, 'Francis Towne, Landscape Painter', Walpole Society, VIII, 1919-20, p. 111. A. Bury, Francis Towne: Lone Star of Water-Colour Painting, London, 1962, pp. 95 and 143. W.A. Worsley, Early English Water-Colours at Hovingham Hall, Hovingham, 1963, no. 66.

Professor Selwyn Image, by 1919. Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 20 November 1953, part of lot 29 (185 gns to Agnew's). with Agnew's, London, where purchased by Sir William Worsley, 1953, (190 gns), and thence by descent in the family.