Syon House from Richmond Gardens

Syon House from Richmond Gardens
ArtistRichard Wilson
Yearc.1761
TypeOil on canvas, landscape painting
Dimensions104 cm × 139 cm (41 in × 55 in)
LocationNeue Pinakothek, Munich

Syon House from Richmond Gardens is a c.1761 landscape painting by the British artist Richard Wilson. It depicts a view on the River Thames to the west of London.[1] Looking across the river from Kew Gardens it features Syon House near Brentford the residence of the Duke of Northumberland.[2] Kew Gardens had recently been established as a botanical garden by Princess Augusta. Wilson's title references the nearby town of Richmond. Following time spent in Rome Wilson has returned to produce landscapes of British with a distinct Italianate look. This painting's colours seem influenced by the works of Claude Lorrain.[3]

There is no record of a commission from the Northumberland family so this painting was likely created as an attractive, well-known stretch of river rather than a specific depiction of the house.[4] A number of different versions were produced by Wilson of the scene, as was common with his more popular paintings. A version was displayed at the Royal Academy Exhibition of 1776 held in Pall Mall. Today its in the collection of the Neue Pinakothek in Munich.[5]

References

  1. ^ Büttner p.114
  2. ^ Solkin pp. 204–5
  3. ^ Solkin p.205
  4. ^ Solkin p.204
  5. ^ "Syon House from Richmond Gardens - I - Richard Wilson - Online Catalogue Raisonné". richardwilsononline.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-12-29.

Bibliography

  • Bury, Adrian. Richard Wilson, R.A.: The Grand Classic. F. Lewis, 1947.
  • Büttner Nils. The History of Gardens in Painting. WW Norton, 2008.
  • Solkin, David H. Richard Wilson: The Landscape of Reaction. Tate Gallery, 1982.