Francis Towne

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Francis Towne
1740?-1816
The Bay of Naples with the Temple of Venus
1786
Watercolor over graphite.
13 1/4 x 19 1/2 inches (336 x 495 mm)
Thaw Collection.
2017.261

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Inscription: 

Signed and dated at lower right in pen and black ink, Francis Towne / del. 1786, and inscribed by the artist on verso of the original mount at upper center in brown ink, No. 9 / Bay of Naples ? A View of the Temple of Venus / looking towards the / Island of Nisida. / Draw on the Spot by / Francis Towne / 1786.

Provenance: 
Miss A. W. Snow, Cleve House, Exwick, near Exeter; Sir William Worsley, fourth Baronet (1890-1973), Hovingham Hall, by 1962 (the foregoing according to Bury 1962); private collection; Andrew Clayton-Payne Ltd., London; Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw, New York.
Associated names: 

Thaw, Eugene Victor, former owner.
Thaw, Clare, former owner.

Bibliography: 

Thaw Catalogue Raisonné, 2017, no. 385, repr.
The Thaw collection of master drawings : acquisitions since 2002. New York : Morgan Library & Museum, 2009, no. 22, repr.

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