• 1803-07

Pen and watercolour technique, shaded, with double ruled and sepia wash border on laid paper, the corners cut (190 x 265)

William Daniell, attributed to

Whatman 1808? (cut)

The drawing, which is not in Dance's hand, is catalogued as a topographical view rather than a design perspective. The watercolour is probably by William Daniell, for Farington noted in his diary (17 July 1809) 'Wm. Daniell called being to go with Dance tomorrow to Sir Francis Baring's to make a drawing of Stratton for an engraving which Sir Francis is to give to an acct. of Hampshire.' Farington's comment could mean that Baring commissioned a drawing of his house that was to be engraved and included in a history of Hampshire. It seems unlikely that he planned to write such a book himself and the catalogue of the British Library does not record any such publication by Baring, who died a year after Daniell's visit (on 11 September 1810 at Lee in Kent). J. P. Losty, Oriental and India Office Collections at the British Library (email, 1 October 2001) wrote that the drawing 'could be the work of William Daniell'.

The artist has furnished the foreground with cows and sheep, a paling preserving the lawns and gardens. The plantation on the west side is growing well though not yet so established that the top storey of the stables cannot be seen. The topography of the site is shown with a wooded hill rising to the north behind the house. The morning scene is tranquil and must reflect something of Baring's idea of Stratton Park: the serenity of a dignified house set amongst natural beauty but also the centre of a thriving agricultural estate and his family's country seat.

William Daniell, a friend of Dance for many years, is best known for his topographical views of India made with his uncle Thomas Daniell (1749-1840) and published in six parts as Oriental scenery between 1795 and 1808. William was also a landscape painter and an engraver, etching many of Dance's portrait drawings, and painting and engraving Dance's design for the improvement of the Port of London.

REPRODUCED. Stroud fig.64a.

Drawing

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