Lot Essay
These remarkably fresh landscape sketches were previously part of a sketchbook of views dating from the summer of 1820 to the summer of 1826. The sketchbook was inscribed in the hand of Gandy's fellow Royal Academician, the sculptor Sir Richard Westmacott, R.A. (1775-1856), who presented it to his daughter Maria. Gandy entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1789 and won the silver medal that same year and the gold medal the following year. He is chiefly known today for his series of monumental paintings capturing the spirit of the work of the architect Sir John Soane, R.A. (1753-1837) for whom he worked.