Francis Towne 1740-1816

Towne visited the Italian lakes on his way to Switzerland at the end of August 1781 and whilst he was there he made a number of watercolours of Lake Como.  Two versions of this subject are now in the British Museum and Leeds City Art Gallery.  Another, undated, is recorded as being in the Collection of Thomas Girtin and two other views were formerly in the Collection of Paul Oppe.  A watercolour smaller in size than the present work and dated 1785, was offered for sale in these Rooms on 15th March 1984, lot 133. 

Six views of Como were exhibited by Towne at no.20 Lower Brook Street, Grosvenor Square in 1805, one of which is likely to have been the present work.