English School, circa 1760

Anonymous sale ("The Property of a Gentleman"), London, Christie's, 17 July 1987, lot 40, (for £28,600);
With Lane Fine Art, 1987 (as 'Attributed to Jan Griffier the Younger');
Private Collection, California;
With Gavin Graham Gallery, 1991.

The catalogue illustration is representative. The canvas has been lined and the paint surface appears to be in good overall condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint visible to the naked eye. There is old discoloured retouching visible in the darker pigments of the foreground lower right and left as can be seen in the catalogue illustration however these are unobtrusive and are only really noticeable under a raking light. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals very minor scattered flecks of judicious retouching in the sky. There is also retouching to two areas of old restored damage, the first being in the darker clouds upper left as can be identified by the slight discolouration visible in the catalogue illustration. The second is to an old very well restored vertical tear measuring approx. 10 in. above the left wing of the king's house. There is also a more recent campaign of retouching to two further minor areas of damage, the first a minor diagonal tear upper right measuring approx. 3 in. and the second to a surface scratch from the canvas edge centre left, again, measuring approx. 3 in. Examination under ultraviolet also confirms the aforementioned retouching in the foreground and reveals some scattered minor retouchings to the lighter pigments in the middle ground which includes infilling to an old craquelure. Overall the picture is good condition and is ready to hang. Offered in a smart gilt wood and plaster frame in good overall condition. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@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."

This picture is one of several similar versions of this view by an unknown hand, one of which is dated 1759 (Hampshire County Council). The other known versions are in the collections of The Rifles (Berkshire and Wiltshire) Museum, and Winchester City Council. The view is from the south-west, with the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire militias encamped before the town, with King's House in the distance. King's House was a palace designed by Christopher Wren for Charles II, construction of which began in 1683. Apparently designed on the plans for Versailles, the building was never completed and was later taken over by the military. During the Seven Years War (1759-1763) it was used to house French prisoners of war, under guard of the local militia, as depicted in this painting. The building was destroyed by fire in 1894.