Circle of John Inigo Richards

Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire

London, Guildhall Art Gallery, Samuel Scott Exhibition, 1955, no. 51 (as by Samuel Scott)

STRUCTURE The canvas has been relined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good condition. There are very minor abrasions where the canvas meets the frame at the top, but otherwise there is no apparent damage or loss of paint. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals evidence of an old discoloured varnish throughout. There is a repaired vertical tear measuring 5 in. in the upper right of the skyline, and evidence of scattered minor retouchings overall. FRAME Held in a gilded wood frame To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@sothebys.com.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Putney Bridge was built by William Cheslden in 1729, from a revised design by Sir Jacob Acworth. The bridge remained in place until 1882-6, when the present stone replacement was built in its place. The bell under the roof of the Toll House on the Fulham side of the bridge was put up in 1730, to enable toll collectors to ring for assistance when attacked by highwaymen or unruly travellers. On the far bank can be seen the parish of St Mary and the riverside houses of Putney, with the parish of Wandsworth to the left, with its windmill.

In 1748 the German garden specialist Kalm described Fulham as 'in appearance a pretty town with several smooth streets. All the houses are of brick and beautifully built, some of which belong to gentlemen and "Lordships" in London, and are handsomely built. Around this place the country is full of gardens, orchards, and market garens, both for pleasure and for use, and indeed it can be said that the country here is everwhere nothing but a garden and a pleasance'.

Originally attributed to Samuel Scott, the painting was exhibited as such in 1955. A similar view was sold in London, at Christie's on 8th July 2009 by the 8th Earl of Perth (bt. for £18,750). A similar view, dating to circa 1750 and showing the far bank considerably more developed than in the present painting, is illustrated in Hugh Philips, The Thames about 1750, London 1951, p. 171, fig. 194.