The highpoint of Callow's long career as a watercolorist was during the 1830s, when he shared a studio in Paris with Thomas Shotter Boys and felt the influence of Richard Parkes Bonnington. During this time he obtained permission to visit the private gardens at Versailles to produce a series of illustrations to London publisher Charles Heath's Picturesque Annual for 1839-Versailles. The lively Bassin de Neptune features a fountain designed by Andre le Nôtre in 1678-82 with a sculptural group of Neptune and Amphitrite executed in 1740 by Lambert-Sigisbert Adam. The more contemplative Petit Hameau (2007.82) records Marie Antoinette's private rustic retreat constructed in 1783.
Signed and dated lower left in pen and brown ink, "1837". Verso: "16" inscribed in graphite, lower right.
Clayton-Payne, Andrew, former owner.
Reynolds, J. William Callow. London, 1980, p. 66, pl. 19.