Studio: international art (84.1922)

THE VICTOR RIENAECKER COLLECTION

a mountainous district with classical build-
ings on a hill. If it were not for the
cottages in a hollow, it might be assumed
it was intended to be an Italian view. The
same may be said of A Mountainous Scene
with a River, by George Barret, sen., R.A.
Although his works are not so well known
as those by his son, he was a very popular
artist in his day. He was a follower of
Wilson, and painted numerous classical
compositions. Barret never visited Italy,
yet many of his landscapes show an Italian
feeling. For these he obtained con-
siderable sums, whilst Wilson was living
in poverty. George Barret, jun., his son,
is well represented by charming rural
scenes, Tending the Flock and A Shady
Pool. Francis Wheatley, chiefly known
for his figure subjects, in his early career
was a topographical artist. The view
of The Green Park, dated 1778, shows a
sheet of water, called Rosamond's Pond,
which existed until 1841, with Buckingham

House and Westminster Abbey in the
distance. This pond must not be con-
fused with the one bearing the same name,
which was in a secluded spot at the south-
west corner of St. James' Park. The latter
was noted for being a place of assignation,
as mentioned by Pope and others. Owing
to the number of suicides committed there
this pond was filled in in 1770. a a
St. Mary's Abbey, York, is a typical
work of Thomas Hearne. It was drawn
in 1777, and was engraved by W. Byrne
and W. Middiman in the following year
for " Antiquities of Great Britain." The
figures in the foreground were added by
Bartolozzi. Of the work of that little
known artist, Francis Towne, a Devonian
and friend of John Downman, there are
three examples, one of them, a view of
Dartmouth, is most delicately drawn. The
works of the poetic painter, John Richard
Cozens, have a special attraction to Mr.
Victor Rienaecker ; he possesses no less

" ST. MABY'S ABBEY, YORK "
BY T. HEARNE (1744-1817)

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