A View of Vevey with La Tour de Peilz in the Distance

1781

Francis Towne

Associated Names
Francis Towne

Artist, British, 1739 - 1816

This image features an elevated view overlooking a townscape stretching into the distance. The horizon is positioned high in the composition, with a faint line separating the sky from the land. Various buildings are visible on the horizon, some with tower-like structures and pointed roofs. The drawing style is minimal and precise, with clean, fine linework outlining trees and buildings. The color palette is limited to shades of gray on light-colored paper. There are detailed, textured clusters of trees in the foreground and additional buildings nestled among trees and open spaces in the distance. The image conveys a sense of quiet and clarity through its sparse lines.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and black ink over graphite on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of William B. O'Neal

  • Dimensions

    overall: 25 x 32.5 cm (9 13/16 x 12 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1995.52.179

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

James White, Exeter (1816-1825); John Herman Merivale, Barton Place, Exeter (1825-1844); by descent, Merivale family, Barton Place, Exeter, (1844-c.1915); Sir William Arthington Worsley, 4th Baronet, Hovingham Hall, York (probably 1915-1981); (Thos. Agnew & Sons Ltd., London); purchased by William B. O'Neal, Charlottesville, VA, 1981-1994; gift to NGA, 1995.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1993

  • Drawings from the O'Neal Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1993, no. 35.

1996

  • Drawings from the O'Neal Collection, Georgia Museum of Art, The University of Georgia, Athens, 4 May-16 June, 1996.

Bibliography

1974

  • Bury, Adrian. Frances Towne: Lone Star of Water-colour Painting. London: Charles Skilton Ltd, 1974, 142 (listed under works in private collections)

1993

  • NGA O'Neal 1993, ex 35.

Inscriptions

upper center verso in pen and brown ink: No. 7 / Vevey Sept. 20 1781 / Francis Towne; center verso in pen and brown ink: La tour de pil; lower left verso in pen and brown ink: All the tops of the Buildings darker than the Lake (repeated below by later hand in graphite); by later hand, center right verso in graphite: 87 BP; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 8 4554 / 7482

Wikidata ID

Q64562917

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