| Artist Name |
John Inigo Richards (1731-1810) |
| Title |
Castle Ruins Landscape |
| Description |
This superb large British Old Master oil painting is attributed to John Inigo Richards. Painted circa 1770 the composition is a view from before the water's edge across a lake to castle ruins. The ruins are overgrown with foliage and on high rocks on a small island in the middle of the water. The landscape continues beyond. Various figures are by the water's edge and in a small boat, attending to nets. The brushwork and detail in the leaves of the trees and foliage are both superb. This is an excellent example of a British 18th century Old Master oil painting which is comparable with Richard Wilson, George Lambert and George Barret, other noted 18th century landscape artists.
|
| Provenance |
W. Boswell & Son label verso.
|
| Medium |
Oil on Canvas |
| Size |
47 x 26 inches |
| Frame |
Housed in a gilt frame, 54 inches by 33 inches and in good condition. |
| Condition |
Good condition. |
| Biography |
John Inigo Richards RA (1731– 18 December 1810) was a British landscapist who became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy in 1768, and was secretary to the Academy from 1788 until his death. He studied art at the St Martin's Lane Academy in London, where he was a pupil of George Lambert (1700–1765), sometimes regarded as the "Father of English Landscape Oil Painting". Like his contemporary Francis Hayman, Richards worked as a scene painter in London's theatres (1777–1803). He retained a lifelong interest in theatre design. He is credited with the design of the Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. (America's first purpose-built professional theatre, opening in 1793), built for his brother-in-law Thomas Wignell. When Richards died in 1810 he acknowledged that Mary Ann Ritchards who had been born to the actress Ann Pitt in 1759 was his daughter. He left her a snuff box which was decorated with a picture of her mother and his former lover. |
| Price |
£12000 |
