Classical Ruins in a Landscape c. 1688-93
Oil on canvas | 187.3 x 125.7 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 402925
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This is one of five large landscapes, four by Jacques Rousseau and one by Achtschellinck, first recorded as overdoors in the Presence Chamber and Eating Room at Hampton Court during the reign of Queen Anne (see OM 466, RCIN; OM 467, 402927; OM 469, 402930; OM 470, 402933). The ‘List of Her Majesties Pictures’ of c. 1705-10 describes this as by ‘Eight Skellen’ hanging with its pair (OM 466) in the Presence Chamber.
Like all the set of paintings this one has been expanded, the joins just visible to the naked eye, gaining some 40 cm at the top and 20 cm at the left as well as a very narrow strip at the bottom. This expansion common to the set suggests that they once hung together in some other location and were then adapted for their present location. The original scheme must date from Rousseau’s London stay (from 1688 until his death in 1693) and was perhaps executed for William III.
This one work must have joined the set either because Achtschellinck was working alongside Rousseau or because someone (artist or patron) possessed a ‘spare’ example of his work which could be re-cycled. The fact that there is a further join where a 30 cm addition was added to the original composition suggests the latter explanation. For clarity’s sake this might mean that Achtschellinck painted a composition as high as the column on the right side and wide enough just to include the fountain to the left; this composition was then included in the Rousseau set and gained 30 cm at the top; then the entire set was further expanded to its present dimensions.Provenance
First recorded in its current position in the King's First Presence Chamber at Hampton Court in 1710 (no 4); oddly it appears n the Second Predsence Chamber in Pyne's illustrated Royal Residences of 1819 (RCIN 922132).
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Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
187.3 x 125.7 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
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