Lot Essay
Born in Exeter, Devon, Abbott lived in the town throughout his entire career, as an apothecary and a surgeon, and was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Devonshire in 1831. A friend and patron of Francis Towne, under whose guidance he learnt to paint, Abbott made sketching tours all round England, but delighted in painting views of his home county.
Ugbrooke Park was the seat of the 6th Lord Clifford of Chudleigh (1759-1831), also a friend and patron of Francis Towne. Abbott would have visited the park with Towne, a frequent visitor from 1773, who regularly executed views of the park for Clifford and could perhaps be the figure in the centre of the present drawing standing on the bridge over the Ug brook after which the house was named.
Another watercolour by Abbott of Ugbrooke Park and dated July 17. 1809 was sold in these Rooms, 5 June 2006, lot 49.
Ugbrooke Park was the seat of the 6th Lord Clifford of Chudleigh (1759-1831), also a friend and patron of Francis Towne. Abbott would have visited the park with Towne, a frequent visitor from 1773, who regularly executed views of the park for Clifford and could perhaps be the figure in the centre of the present drawing standing on the bridge over the Ug brook after which the house was named.
Another watercolour by Abbott of Ugbrooke Park and dated July 17. 1809 was sold in these Rooms, 5 June 2006, lot 49.