FDA-D.505-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.505-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
A Rocky Landscape with a Waterfall
Pilkington
Pilkington
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
collection
collection
Comments
The work of Francis Towne was not widely acknowledged until collector Paul Oppé, who owned this drawing, began to publish articles on the artist in the 1920s.
This work almost certainly represents Pistyll Cain (Cain falls) in Merionethshire, north Wales, which Towne visited on a sketching tour in 1777. A large (4 1/2 x 5 1/2 feet) view of the falls, now untraced, was exhibited by Towne at the British Institution in London, in 1815. In the same year, Towne showed a further view of Pistyll Cain - perhaps this example - at the Royal Academy.
This work almost certainly represents Pistyll Cain (Cain falls) in Merionethshire, north Wales, which Towne visited on a sketching tour in 1777. A large (4 1/2 x 5 1/2 feet) view of the falls, now untraced, was exhibited by Towne at the British Institution in London, in 1815. In the same year, Towne showed a further view of Pistyll Cain - perhaps this example - at the Royal Academy.
Other number
Pi 191
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 468mm
width (actual size): 352mm
width (actual size): 352mm
Inscription
Signed and dated 'Fr Towne/delt 1795' (lower right), and signed and dated 'Francis Towne/delt 1796' (on reverse of the mount)
Materials & techniques note
Pen & grey ink, and watercolour
Production
Person
Towne, Francis, 1739 - 1816 (Artist)
Date
1795
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: A. Champernowne of Dartington Hall; Sotheby's, 27 April 1911 (Lot 274); from which sale purchased by A.P. Oppe;; collection of D. Eccles;; collection of Alan Pilkington; by whom bequeathed to Eton College in 1973
Exhibited: `Loan exhibition of water-colour drawings by Francis Towne (1740-1816) the property of A.P. Oppe Esq., C. B.', Agnew's, London, 1949, catalogue number 29; Colnaghi, 1958, catalogue number 48; Colnaghi, 1963, catalogue number 33; 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 33; 'Watercolours from the Eton College Collections', Verey Gallery, Eton College, 24 November 2018 to 24 February 2019
Exhibited: `Loan exhibition of water-colour drawings by Francis Towne (1740-1816) the property of A.P. Oppe Esq., C. B.', Agnew's, London, 1949, catalogue number 29; Colnaghi, 1958, catalogue number 48; Colnaghi, 1963, catalogue number 33; 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 33; 'Watercolours from the Eton College Collections', Verey Gallery, Eton College, 24 November 2018 to 24 February 2019
References
• Wilcox, T., A Genius for Watercolour; Watercolours from the Eton College Collection, Christie's exhibition catalogue, London, 2003 (p. 40), Catalogue number: 33
