Near Canonteign, Devon

This composition is very close to Abbott's 'View near Fordlands, a Country House near Exeter' in the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection. It is one of many sketches made by Abbott directly from nature on his estate at Canonteign in Devon. Its style is influenced by Francis Towne's (1739 - 1816) Swiss and Italian drawings, which Abbott copied between 1816 and 1825 when they were owned by his uncle.