View in St. James’s Park

Location

Country: Luxembourg
City: Luxembourg
Place: British Embassy

During the 18th century St James’s Park resembled a country meadow, with deer and cattle grazing in the long, rough grass. This view represents the park looking towards Horse Guards Parade, the back of the Treasury and Westminster Abbey, its twin towers designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor now free of the scaffolding which had marked their construction between 1735 and 1740. The end of the Long Canal in St James’s Park can be glimpsed on the right.

This work was formerly in the collection of Edmund Thomas Gardner of London and had probably been owned by his father, John Edmund Gardner (1819-1899) of Park House, Swiss Cottage, a lamp and chandelier manufacturer, lamp oil seller and ‘gas engineer’. John Gardner formed a considerable collection, mainly of prints but also including drawings, armour and other curiosities.

Places

England, London, St. James's Park

Subjects

topography, landscape C18th, townscape/cityscape, British School C18th, tree, cow, dog, man, woman, path, park, abbey, tower

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

British 18th century unknown

Title

View in St. James’s Park

Date

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 33.50 cm, width: 50.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Sotheby's, 30 October 1929

Provenance

[Presumably collection of John Edmund Gardner (1819-1899) of Park House, Swiss Cottage, London; by descent to] Edmund Thomas Gardner of Park House; by whose daughter sold through Sotheby's, London, ‘Pictures of the Italian and Dutch Schools from various sources’ sale, on 30 October 1929 (Lot 69); from which sale bought by ‘Reddock’ on behalf of the Office of Works

GAC number

0/259