Lot 51: SIR JAMES THORNHILL (1675-1734) Mythological study

SIR JAMES THORNHILL (1675-1734) Mythological study for a painted ceiling, pen, ink and wash, 10.5" x 8.5" Sir James Thornhill has many connections to the county of Dorset. Born in Melcombe Regis, he later moved to London where he completed an apprenticeship with Thomas Highmore, specialising in decorative, historical painting. His interior masterpieces include the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital, the cupola of St. Paul's cathedral and more locally, St. Marys Church, Weymouth, where he painted the reredos with the Last Supper. Though this example is mythological in its subject, the method of composition is directly comparable to the Weymouth example. In 1725, Thornhill built Thornhill House, Stalbridge.