11th Nov, 2025 10:00
Old Master, British and European Art
147
William Richardson (1814-1899)
A view of St Paul’s from the South Bank of the Thames
signed and dated 'W Richardson 1854' on barge l.l., oil on canvas
95 x 165cm
William Richardson was among the most distinguished 19th-century English followers of Canaletto, celebrated for his ability to translate the Venetian master's luminous precision and architectural harmony into distinctly British settings. Active during the height of the Victorian fascination with topographical and panoramic painting, Richardson developed a style that merged Canaletto's clarity of line and atmospheric perspective with the romantic realism of English landscape tradition.
In the present work of the Thames, London, Richardson reimagines the familiar skyline of St Paul's Cathedral and the bustling riverfront through a Venetian lens. The glassy expanse of the Thames and the careful choreography of barges and sailboats evoke the serenity of the Grand Canal, while the golden light and meticulous rendering of architectural detail speak to the artist's fascination with Canaletto's compositions. The result is both an homage to the Venetian vedute tradition and a nostalgic celebration of 19th-century London at its industrious height.
Sold for £16,000
Condition Report
Framed: 110 x 180cm
A few tiny dark speckles of light surface dirt. On close inspection under raking light it is possible to see that there has been some retouching to the sky, however in our opinion the work presents well overall when viewed on the wall. Paint a little thin in some areas of the sky and water. Under UV light, extensive areas of overpainting fluoresce, particularly across the centre of the upper edge, the upper right corner, and the upper left quadrant. Under normal lighting, these areas of the sky appear slightly yellow in tone. The varnish fluoresces a faint green under UV and appears patchy and uneven in its application. Additional spots of retouching are visible in the water at the bottom of the painting, with larger areas of overpaint fluorescing beneath the sailboats in the lower right and around the paddle steamer at centre left. There is also evidence of infilling and overpainting around the dome of the cathedral, with a more prominent patch surrounding the cloud to its left. In our opinion, the restoration has has been sympathetically undertaken and does not significantly detract from the overall composition when viewed on the wall.
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Auction: Old Master, British and European Art, 11th Nov, 2025
Viewing
London Viewing | Highlights
A selection of lots will be on view Monday 13 - Friday 24 October at our London Gallery, 15 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ, as follows:
Monday-Friday, 11am - 5.30pm
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed
For more information, please contact 0203 971 2500 | london@sworder.co.uk
Stansted Viewing | Auction
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Friday 7 November, 10am - 4pm
Sunday 9 November, 10am - 1pm
Monday 10 November, 10am - 4pm
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
The auction will take place at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE.
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