English School, 18th century, Southern prospect of Shrewsbury, oil on canvas, 49 x 74cm
This Southern prospect of Shrewsbury is a Capriccio and a good contrast to the larger counterpart, for the unknown artist has moved the old English Bridge and Gatehouse around the river, Saint Julian's Church is incorrectly positioned and the time that this work depicts, where the defensive walls are intact, there should also have been many wall towers present. Given the walls were gradually demolished throughout the 18th century and all the architectural inconsistencies, it is difficult to date this depiction trees, which curiously and uncharacteristically John Bowen used to omit.
There is a near-identical engraving by Johannes Kip (Dutch 1652/3-1722) circa 1715
We are grateful to Shrewsbury Museum for their assistance and help in cataloguing this lot.Condition report: The painting has been relined, re-stretchered and had some restoration. There is a horizontal fractured line in the paint running across the lower river area. There is surface level craquelure throughout with minimal paint losses. There has been some retouching of the paint around the river and upper sky areas. The frame has evidence for general wear and tear including some surface losses and cracks.