MAJESTIC PAINTING OF CHATSWORTH HOUSE EMERGES AT BONHAMS AFTER OVER A CENTURY IN DERBYSHIRE FAMILY
A magnificent view of Chatsworth House and the surrounding countryside will go under the hammer at Bonhams Old Masters sale on 5th December in London. Estimated at £150,000 – 200,000, the painting is one of four recorded versions of the scene, with one version still residing at Chatsworth.
The painting has remained in the same Derbyshire family since at least the 19th Century, and it formed part of a remarkable private collection of paintings. The family collected many paintings while on the Grand Tour, adding to an already impressive family collection. The Chatsworth House landscape, on the other hand, would have been acquired in England and is likely never to have left Derbyshire since it was painted.
The view of Chatsworth House and Park is a stunning example of panoramic landscape painting by renowned Flemish painter, Peter Tillemans. It shows a view of Duke of Devonshire’s home and park from the south east, brought to life with figures and horses in the foreground. It is an idyllic scene, with the river winding through the countryside surrounding the house and soft fair-weather clouds across a summer sky.
Largely known for his topographical works showing panoramic country scenes, Tillemans painted a number of important English country houses after he moved to England in 1708 from the Low Countries. He worked in many different styles, but made his name with important commissions in England, including four views of Chatsworth House, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire and home to his family, the Cavendish family, since 1549. Other well-known country sites painted by Tillemans include Holker Hall and Chirk Castle in Denbighshire, as well as panoramas of Richmond, Twickenham and Thames-side views at Greenwich.
Caroline Oliphant, Director of Old Master Paintings commented “Chatsworth is an iconic English country house which also contains a magnificent collection of artworks. The remarkable detail in this painting gives us a wonderful sense of what the park and landscape would have looked like in the early 18th century. The estate is shown in its best light, with the Duke’s much-loved bloodstock in the foreground, so it not only records the topography of Chatsworth, it also cleverly describes the interests of its owner which is an added bonus. Having remained in private collections since it was painted it also comes down to us in beautiful condition.”
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com.
