Hendrik Frans De Cort (Antwerp 1742-1810 London)

Fonthill Splendens including: Views of the Principal Front, from across the Lake near the Boathouse (with a second sheet extending the composition to the left); from the Hill across the Lake, showing the Landscaping and two Pavilions; and from the wooden Bridge; View across the opposite Front, from across the wooden Bridge; View of the opposite Front, from across the Lake; and the Hermitage; two views of the grounds and Hindon; and a sketch of a Gothic Abbey near water

Details

Hendrik Frans De Cort (Antwerp 1742-1810 London)
Fonthill Splendens including: Views of the Principal Front, from across the Lake near the Boathouse (with a second sheet extending the composition to the left); from the Hill across the Lake, showing the Landscaping and two Pavilions; and from the wooden Bridge; View across the opposite Front, from across the wooden Bridge; View of the opposite Front, from across the Lake; and the Hermitage; two views of the grounds and Hindon; and a sketch of a Gothic Abbey near water
one signed, inscribed and dated 'Fonthill W^m Beckford Esqr MP Wiltsh 1791 H DeCort' (on the verso), one with inscription 'Fonthill W Beckford's Wilts' (on the verso), one with inscription 'Fonthill. W. Beckford:- near Salisbury. Wilts. Henry De Cort. fecit.' (on the verso), one with inscription and date 'In the Grounds of Font hill M^r W Beckford 1792' (on the verso), one with indistinct inscription and dated '...1792' (on the verso), one with indistinct inscription 'in Font Hill grounds a Studie' (on the verso), one with indistinct inscription 'at Hindon near...' (on the verso), one with inscription 'this belongs to the drawing of Font Hill Wiltshire' (on the verso), one inscribed 'a Picture ordered by W. Beckford Esqr. at Fonthill an Settelled in London Friday (1)4 May 1798, the Size Settelled [sic] on in London 14 May 1798' (on the verso)
one pencil, pen and black ink, black and grey wash, seven pencil, black and grey wash, one pencil, one with watermark 'WELCAR 1795', unframed
19 3/8 x 26 in. (49.3 x 66 cm.); and smaller (9)

Provenance

Ray Livingston Murphy, New York City; Christie's, London, 8 July 1986, lot 46, where purchased by the present owner.

Engraved

The principal view from across the lake, W. Byrne, Aedes Fonthillianae, with differences, 1 January 1793.

Brought to you by

Hélène Rihal

hrihal@christies.com +33 1 40 76 86 13

Lot Essay

De Cort exhibited A View of Font-hill at the Royal Academy, 1791, no. 421. A picture of Fonthill Splendens by De Cort was in Beckford's library sale, 15 October 1823, lot 325, View of Fonthill Mansion ... on the verge of the Lake in the Park, and is likely to be the painting now at Sudeley Castle, which matches the engraved view.
See lot 72 for a note on Fonthill Splendens.

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