DAVID ROBERTS, R.A. | CASTLE AND BRIDGE OF ST. ANGELO, ROME

Gifted by the artist to his daughter Mrs Christine Bicknell, on the occasion of her birthday 1860;

Henry Sanford Bicknell, by whom sold, Christie’s, London, 9 April 1881, lot 347, where purchased by “Vokins” for 315gns;

Mrs Fitzgerald, by whom sold, Sotheby’s, London 20 November 1963, lot 73, where purchased by “Agnew”;

Private collection, purchased in 1977, and thence by descent

J. Ballantine, The Life of David Roberts R.A., Edinburgh, 1866, p.203 & p.253, no.247;

K. Sim, David Roberts R.A., 1796-1864, A Biography, London, 1984, pp.297-8;

H. Guiterman and B. Llewellyn, David Roberts, exh.cat, Barbican Art Gallery, London, 1986, p.122

The present lot is a version of a larger view of Rome from the Tiber, also painted by Roberts in 1860 and now in the collection of Leeds Museums and Galleries at Temple Newsham House. Roberts painted this smaller version as a birthday present for his daughter Christine, as was his custom every year. Rome was a favoured subject of the artist and in 1860 he painted no less than eleven Italian views, all of which were sold.

'I cannot attempt to give any general description of Rome, but the objects of interest far exceed my expectations. The vast remains of theatres, baths and temples are magnificent, while the delicious climate, and the picturesque costumes of the people, render the place very attractive ... The city, with St. Peter's, the Vatican, and the castle of St. Angelo, seemed bathed in floods of living fire.' (Roberts' letter to his daughter Christine, quoted in J. Ballantine, The Life of David Roberts R.A., Edinburgh, 1866, p.179)