A Skirmish in Rowing-Boats in the Bay of Baiae, an Island beyond

A Skirmish in Rowing-Boats in the Bay of Baiae, an Island beyond
A Skirmish in Rowing-Boats in the Bay of Baiae, an Island beyond
A Skirmish in Rowing-Boats in the Bay of Baiae, an Island beyond
Private Collection
title=Credit line
Artist
Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782)
Title
A Skirmish in Rowing-Boats in the Bay of Baiae, an Island beyond
Date
c.1754-6 (undated)
Medium
Pencil, black chalk and stump, white chalk, in an inscribed circle on grey paper
Dimensions
Metric: 175 x 185 mm
Imperial: 6 3/4 x 7 3/8 in.
Collection
Private Collection
Wilson Online Reference
D338
Description
Within a circular format a sea-battle is being fought between armed men in two boats in the foreground, with others in the water and a third boat behind at the left before a tower and arch. Across the bay is a mountainous landscape, probably intended as the volcanic islet of Nisida.
Exhibited
London 1925 (106 - Bay of Baiae); Manchester 1925 (43 - Bay of Baiae); London, Courtauld Institute Galleries, 1963, The John Witt Collection, Part II, English School (19)
Provenance
William Lock of Norbury; his sale, Sotheby's London 3-7 May 1821 (386); William Esdaile; his sale, Christie's, London, 19 March 1838; Charles Fairfax Murray; Sir Robert and Lady Witt; John Witt; Bernard Milling; Sotheby's, London, 19 February 1987 (49); Christie's, London, 5 July 2011 (118); Private Collection
Signature/inscription
Unsigned; no inscription
Collectors' marks
[1] Verso, lower left: unknown mark
Verso inscriptions
[1] Ink, lower left: 1821 WE Lock's sale N100 | Wilson
[2] Pencil, lower left: 116
[3] Pencil, centre: 762
Critical commentary
Wilson visited Naples and the surrounding area in 1752, in 1753 or 1754 with Lord Dartmouth and again in 1756. The drawing was formerly known as Bay of Baiae
Condition/Conservation
The sheet has been taped along the upper edge into acid-free housing. There is a very small pinhole towards the centre of the upper edge and there are some very scattered fox marks. The sheet is slightly cockled but overall it is in good condition.
Updated by Compiler
2016-11-14 00:00:00