NEAPOLITAN SCHOOL (EARLY 19th CENTURY) A PAIR OF NOCTURNAL VIEWS OF THE ERUPTION OF VESUVIUS IN 1807 & 1822

both titled l.m. gouache on paper Largest: 42.5 x 66.0 cm / 16 3/4 x 26 in (2)

Provenance: 6th Baron Berwick of Attingham (1802-1882), purchased by his agent in Italy By descent to Lady Berwick, widow of the 8th Baron Berwick A label to the backboard of both of these works explains the provenance of this group. The 6th Baron Berwick of Attingham (1802-1882) had instructed an agent to go to Italy to purchase furnishings for his house. A collection of gouache paintings were bought, dating from around 1860, brought back to England but never framed or used. The only time they were known to have been removed from storage was c.1939, when they were wrapped in newspaper dating to that year. They then remained in storage again until 1971 when they were unwrapped at the request of "the present owner", and the then owner of Attingham Park explained their provenance. It was in 1971 that they were finally framed and glazed. William Hill, the third Lord Berwick, had enjoyed a successful career as a diplomat in Italy before inheriting the estate in 1832. It may have been his influence that spurred his relative on to acquire Neapolitan art of this sort. The 6th Baron was also a collector of heraldic and historical manuscripts, with his collection sold at S. Leigh Sotheby's, London, 26.04.1843.