About this lot

Description

An Italianate landscape with figures sitting by a lake and a temple beyondinscribed 'Composition / Italian scenery' (to the reverse)watercolour on paper29.5 x 38.5cmFootnote: The present lot is a characteristic mid-period watercolour, dated to circa 1825, an ideal classical style landscape in the spirit of Claude and Richard Wilson. It incorporates all the features one associates with Varley's art of this period, as mentioned by him in his Treatise on the Principles of Landscape Design: mountains in the distance, a clear sky with light floating clouds, a framing tree, a bridge and a winding path in the foreground. The classical temple was sometimes added to his ideal landscapes to give them an Italianate air. We are grateful to Anne Lyles for endorsing the attribution to John Varley and for her assistance with this catalogue entry. Condition report: Framed 49 x 58cm

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