painting (oil): ["Wollaton Hall"]

"Painted from N.E. showing E. front with 'staircase' entrance and N. side. Hall - right middle distance. 4 large trees centre fore-ground. Several figures among trees and around hall. Gardeners (centre and right). Right hand-bottom corner - detailed study of various woodland plants, herbs etc. Left hand side - predominantly trees (therefore probably outskirts of wood). Sky - blue. Clouds - alto cumulas etc. Sunlight - centre foreground." [Register], Between 1984 and 1985, a research assistant, Dr. Brendan Cassidy, was employed by Nottingham Castle Museum to research and write a catalogue of the foreign oil paintings in their collection. The catalogue never materialised, but drafts and notes relating to Cassidy's research can be found in the Artist Files and in the Archive at the museum. All references to Cassidy relate to these documents. The dating of NCM 1967-126 "about 1790" was suggested by the dealer Bonfiglioli in 1966. The painting was also pronounced to be "a fine gallery painting in good condition" (Letter dated 24 November 1966 from Bonfiglioli to Eric Laws in Donor File). It is likely that NCM 1967-126 was painted for the Willoughby family who were the original owners of Wollaton Hall. This work was on display and so could not be examined on reverse and was hung too high for thorough examination of the front. On the reverse: From Cassidy's notes in the Artist File: 1. Stencil: 678 (5?) DZ 2. In chalk: May 15-25 3. Label: Bonfiglioli Ltd Nottingham dealers A strip of wood approx. 1 3/4 inches wide has been added to the bottom of the panel. It seems that NCM 1967-126 (along with NCM 1957-10) was considered for restoartion in 1995 (Letter dated 22 February 1995 from Mark Roberts Conservation & Restoration of Painting, Notts. To Neil Walker in Artist File). The letter outlines proposed treatment as surface cleaning and retouching of paint losses. However, considering the current condition of this panel, the treatment was presumably never carried out. Hendrik de Cort's views of country houses were exhibited at the Royal Academy and British Institution between 1790 and 1806. However, it seems that NCM 1967-126 was not among those works exhibited. (R.A. and B.I. exhibitions already checked by Cassidy). Virag 16/12/2004, Collection of Godfrey Ernest Lord Middleton, 10th Baron (1847-1924); Sold Christie's 15 May 1925, lot 142, bought by Abbott for two guineas.