Group of drawings of Exeter and the surrounding landscape and villages

John White Abbott (1763 - 1851)

Royal Albert Memorial Museum

1787-1809

A group of 16 sketches of the landscape and villages surrounding the artist's native Exeter, including Barton Place, the inspiration for Barton Park in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Much of Abbot's subject matter was local to the town, especially his depictions of Dartmoor. Abbott was a pupil of Francis Towne (1740-1816) and his style is characterised by neat outlines and clear colour washes. Although English in style and subject matter, his work shows awareness of the classical landscape tradition practised by artists such as Poussin. Titles of individual works are: 1) Looking from above Starcross across the estuary of the River Exe; 2) On the beach, Topsham; 3) Parkland, Powderham Castle; 4) Near Cowley Bridge; 5) Cowley Bridge, Nr Exeter; 6) Figures on Cowley Bridge; 7) Figures on a country path; 8) A figure on a country lane; 9) Bonhay, Devon; 10) A figure crossing a stream with Bonhay in the distance; 11) Barton Place; 12) A ruined arch; 13) The remains of Exeter Castle; 14) Overlooking the Exe estuary; 15) A country land; 16) A waterfall in woodland.

• Medium: pencil, pen & wash on paper
• Dimensions: various dimensions
• Art Fund Grant: £2200 ( Total: £8,800)
• ArtFunded in: 2006
• Vendor: Lowell Libson

Provenance

Family of the artist by descent; Spink Leger, 2000; Christie's, c.2004; Lowell Libson, 2006.

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