Lot 73: Hendrik Frans De Cort (Antwerp 1742-1810 London)

Hendrik Frans De Cort (Antwerp 1742-1810 London) Fonthill Splendens including: Views of the Principal Front, from across the Lake near the Boathouse (with a second sheet extending the composition to the left); from the Hill across the Lake, showing the Landscaping and two Pavilions; and from the wooden Bridge; View across the opposite Front, from across the wooden Bridge; View of the opposite Front, from across the Lake; and the Hermitage; two views of the grounds and Hindon; and a sketch of a Gothic Abbey near water one signed, inscribed and dated 'Fonthill Wm Beckford Esqr MP Wiltsh 1791 H DeCort' (on the verso), one with inscription 'Fonthill W Beckford's Wilts' (on the verso), one with inscription 'Fonthill. W. Beckford:- near Salisbury. Wilts. Henry De Cort. fecit.' (on the verso), one with inscription and date 'In the Grounds of Font hill Mr W Beckford 1792' (on the verso), one with indistinct inscription and dated '...1792' (on the verso), one with indistinct inscription 'in Font Hill grounds a Studie' (on the verso), one with indistinct inscription 'at Hindon near...' (on the verso), one with inscription 'this belongs to the drawing of Font Hill Wiltshire' (on the verso), one inscribed 'a Picture ordered by W. Beckford Esqr. at Fonthill an Settelled in London Friday (1)4 May 1798, the Size Settelled [sic] on in London 14 May 1798' (on the verso) one pencil, pen and black ink, black and grey wash, seven pencil, black and grey wash, one pencil, one with watermark 'WELCAR 1795', unframed 19 3/8 x 26 in. (49.3 x 66 cm.); and smaller (9)

Ray Livingston Murphy, New York City; Christie's, London, 8 July 1986, lot 46, where purchased by the present owner.