Lot Essay
This picture derives from the engraving of Oatlands Park by Luke Sullivan, first published on 1 March 1759 (for which see J. Harris, The Artist and the Country House, London, 1979, no. 287). Oatlands was the seat of Henry Fiennes Clinton (1720-1794), 9th Earl of Lincoln, later 2nd Duke of Newcastle, who rather than building himself a large mansion spent considerable sums beautifying his gardens and park. This view shows the great terrace cut by Thomas Wright (1711-1786) who had succeeded William Kent as Landscape painter at Oatlands soon after the former's death in 1748.