Lot Essay
The present unrecorded work is one of five 18th century copies of a lost landscape by Gainsborough, dated by Hayes to circa 1755-7 (J. Hayes, The Landscape Paintings of Thomas Gainsborough, 1982, II, no. 61, pp. 395-6). Hayes notes (ibid, I, p. 242) that most of the copies, including the present painting, were made after engravings but that others were done from the original painting, which, in each case was in the hands of Panton Betew, the London dealer and silversmith. Though it is not known whether he was responsible for employing copyists of Gainsborough's landscapes, an entry in the sale held at Christie's, London, Dec. 5-6, 1821 of pictures formerly collected by Panton Betew is significant in recording 'Lot 37, Gainsborough, Four Drawings of Landscapes, coloured, by Ibbetson'.
The present work can be attributed to Ibbetson on comparison with the Landscape with Faggot-gatherer and sleeping Pigs, with Gooden and Fox in 1964 (ibid, I, p. 244, pl. 279). It would seem to be one of a number of copies executed by Ibbetson while struggling to establish his reputation as an independent artist shortly after his arrival in London in 1777, at a time when he was well acquainted with Panton Betew.
The present work can be attributed to Ibbetson on comparison with the Landscape with Faggot-gatherer and sleeping Pigs, with Gooden and Fox in 1964 (ibid, I, p. 244, pl. 279). It would seem to be one of a number of copies executed by Ibbetson while struggling to establish his reputation as an independent artist shortly after his arrival in London in 1777, at a time when he was well acquainted with Panton Betew.