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    Return to "Wilson and Europe 2014 " is linked to these Works 122 items
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    The Baths of Ischia, near Naples

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    The Baths of Ischia, near Naples
    The Baths of Ischia, near Naples
    The Baths of Ischia, near Naples
    Tate, London 2014
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    Artist
    Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782)
    Title
    The Baths of Ischia, near Naples
    Date
    c.1753 (undated)
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    Metric: 44.5 x 54.6 cm
    Imperial: 17 1/2 x 21 1/2 in.
    Collection
    Tate, London. To license image, click here.
    Accession Number
    N02646
    Wilson Online Reference
    P58
    Description
    The view, identified for the first time at the Tercentenary exhibition, is taken from a position on the coast just to the east of the thermal spa of Casamicciola Terme on the north of Ischia, looking west past the harbour. Wilson's position was by the former Pio Monte della Misericordia thermal establishment.
    Exhibited
    Tercentenary 2014 (48)
    Provenance
    Colnaghi & Co., London; bt 1900 by George Salting (1835-1909); bequeathed to the National Gallery, London, 1910; transferred to Tate Gallery 1955
    Signature/inscription
    Unsigned; no inscription
    Techniques and materials
    The application of paint to the horizon and foreground is typical of Wilson's hand.
    Subject
    Ischia is the largest island in the Gulf of Naples. In Greek mythology it was inhabited by the hundred-headed monster, Typhon who, having been vanquished by Zeus's thunderbolts and buried under Mount Etna, took vengeance by creating volcanic eruptions. In classical antiquity, Ischia was a celebrated resort, with hot mineral springs and sub-tropical vegetation. It remained very popular with visitors in the 18th century.
    Related Drawings
    D220 The Baths of Ischia, Victoria & Albert Museum (DYCE.642)
    Versions
    See 'Links' tab
    Related Paintings
    Pendant: P47 View of Lago d'Agnano, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
    Critical commentary
    Richard Wilson visited Naples and the surrounding area in 1752 and again in the spring of 1753 with Lord Dartmouth. It is uncertain whether he completed this picture during his time in Italy or on his return to England. Close examination suggests that it was perhaps left unfinished and completed later in the lower section. Exceptionally, apart from the sky, the painting agrees in detail with a drawing - D220.
    Previous Cat/Ref Nos
    2646
    Bibliography
    Davies 1946, p. 178, cat. 2646 - An Italian Coast or Lake Scene; Ford 1951, pp. 32-33; WGC, pp. 110, 204, pl. 83a; Wilson and Europe 2014, p. 240
    Link to WG Constable Archive Record
    WGC/1/1/92
    Condition/Conservation
    Framed dimensions: 64.4 x 73.5 cm. Simple weave linen with pale grey ground left exposed in lower right foreground. Conserved June 2001.

    Work of Art

    Drawings

    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782), The Baths of Ischia, Victoria & Albert Museum

    Paintings

    • View of Lago d'Agnano, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford (pendant)

    Exhibitions

    • New Haven, Yale Center for British Art & Cardiff, Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, 6 March - 29 October 2014

    Biographies

    • George Salting (1835-1909)

    Documents

    • William George Constable, Richard Wilson
    • Brinsley Ford, The Drawings of Richard Wilson
    • Martin Postle & Robin Simon, Richard Wilson and the Transformation of European Landscape Painting
    • Martin Davies, National Gallery Catalogues: The British School
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