Attributed to William James, active 1754–1771, Britishafter Canaletto, 1697–1768, Venetian, active in Britain (1746–55)
Title:
Northumberland House, London
Date:
ca. 1759
Materials & Techniques:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
11 3/4 x 16 inches (29.8 x 40.6 cm)
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1976.7.124
Gallery Label:
This is one of approximately thirteen copies after Canaletto by the topographical painter and picture dealer William James, who probably worked from a pirated engraving by the print seller Henry Bowles. Canaletto's 1753 view was of Northumberland House, the splendid London residence of his patron the Whig grandee Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland (ca. 1712-1786). James lived at the Golden Head in May's Buildings, St. Martin's Lane, not far from where Northumberland House stood near the junction of the Strand and Charing Cross. The equestrian statue of King Charles I by Hubert Le Sueur (1630-33) (on the right), was in April 1675 purchased by Charles II in April 1675, and placed in this spot, on a plinth designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It is still there. Gallery label for installation of YCBA collection, 2005