View of the Thames by Samuel Scott (1702-1772)

Origin

England

Period

18th Century

Materials

oil on canvas

Dimensions

W.	51 in;	H.	34 in;
W.	129.54 cm;	H.	86.36 cm;

Condition

Excellent.

Creation Date

1755

Description

After beginning as a maritime painter. Scott earned a considerable reputation for his Thames River and shore scenes. The “Temple Stairs” in the title refers to the stairs on the south end of the Middle Temple, one of the four Inns of Court, which led to the river before the construction of the Thames Embankment in the 19th century. The “Old Savoy” is the ruins of a hospital established for indigent citizens by Henry VII which was destroyed by a fire in the middle decades of the 18th century. The artist’s name and full title of the painting is on a Royal Academy label adhered to the original canvas stretcher. Secondary labels on the reverse include the Colnaghi Print Warehouse on Pall Mall and documentation from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

Styles / Movements

Realism

Incollect Reference Number

246806