Landscape with a Large Tree

Taylor was a landscape painter from Bath who employed the universal Classical manner of the period, ultimately derived from Claude and Gaspard Dughet, but re-invented by Richard Wilson (1714-82) and Thomas Jones (1742-1803). This painting was among a group of eighteen pictures which were sent up to Carlton House in February 1822 on offer from Dr J. Taylor, the artist’s son. Three are still to be found in the collection (OM 1132-4, 404590-1 and 403900).

Taylor seems to have changed his mind regarding the position of figures in the composition. Cleaning revealed that the artist had originally placed two figures at the lower right.

Signed: J Taylor 1780 (initials in monogram)