Cozens’ on-the-spot sketch is inscribed ‘Astruni – Novr.-11’, together with various notes, including ‘chesnut’, ‘all bare earth’, ‘light colour’ and ‘Light earth – no verdure’ (Bell and Girtin, 1935, no.313). It is one of eight views of the wooded crater used by the king of Naples for hunting wild boar to be found in the fourth volume of sketches Cozens made on his second Italian trip. Cozens produced a particularly fine watercolour of the composition for William Beckford (1760–1844), with whom he had travelled to Naples in 1782, and this features a hunt in full swing (see figure 2). Comparing the two works brings home two points: firstly, the impossibility that the Monro School copies were made from Cozens’ studio watercolours, as was once consistently claimed, and secondly, that the ‘finished drawings’ that Monro commissioned were finished only in comparison with the very slight materials that he was able to borrow. For there is significant evidence to suggest that Beckford retained the seven sketchbooks filled by Cozens on his trip, meaning that Girtin would have had to work from a tracing of the on-the-spot sketch. The need to work from a simple outline certainly would explain why Girtin did not follow the instructions noted by Cozens on his tinted sketch, and it would also account for the very different distribution of light in the Monro School work.
- Description
-
- Creator(s)
- Thomas Girtin (1775-1802) and (?) Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) after John Robert Cozens (1752-1797)
- Title
-
- The Royal Park at Astroni
- Date
- 1794 - 1797
- Medium and Support
- Graphite and watercolour on wove paper
- Dimensions
- 18 × 23.5 cm, 7 ⅛ × 9 ¼ in
- Inscription
‘At Frascarti, Villa Dragoni’ on the back
- Object Type
- Collaborations; Monro School Copy
- Subject Terms
- Italian View: Naples and Environs; Trees and Woods
-
- Collection
- Catalogue Number
- TG0737
- Description Source(s)
- Auction Catalogue
Provenance
Dr Thomas Monro (1759–1833); his posthumous sale, possibly Christie's, 27 June 1833, lot 76 as 'Astroni, Radicofani, and Gaeta' by 'Turner'; bought by 'Hixon', £8 8s; ... Sotheby’s, 1 March 1984, lot 277 as 'Astroni, Italy' by Thomas Girtin, £550; Nadeau’s, Windsor, Connecticut, 18 September 2021, lot 284 as 'Attributed to Thomas Girtin', $100
Place depicted
Other entries in Monro School Copies:
Italian Views after Drawings by John Robert Cozens Made on the Second Italian Trip, 1782–83
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Temple of Venus at Baia
The Temple of Venus at Baia
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Entering the Tyrol: Unidentified Buildings amongst Wooded Hills
Entering the Tyrol: Unidentified Buildings amongst Wooded Hills
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
An Unidentified Fortress: Entering the Tyrol Region
An Unidentified Fortress: Entering the Tyrol Region
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
A View on the River Inn, in the Tyrol
A View on the River Inn, in the Tyrol
Tate, London
Unknown Artist, Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Innsbruck: St Anna's Column on Maria-Theresien Street
Innsbruck: St Anna's Column on Maria-Theresien Street
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
A Tree-Lined Valley, near Innsbruck
A Tree-Lined Valley, near Innsbruck
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
A Church Tower in the Valley of the Isarco, near Sterzing, in the Tyrol
A Church Tower in the Valley of the Isarco, near Sterzing, in the Tyrol
Yale Center for British Art, New Haven
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Euganean Hills, Seen from the Walls of Padua
The Euganean Hills, Seen from the Walls of Padua
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, John Robert Cozens
Part of Padua, Seen from the Walls
Part of Padua, Seen from the Walls
Private Collection
Unknown Artist, John Robert Cozens, Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner
The Abbey of Santa Giustina at Padua
The Abbey of Santa Giustina at Padua
Yale Center for British Art, New Haven
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The View from Mirabello, the Villa of Count Algarotti in the Euganean Hills
The View from Mirabello, the Villa of Count Algarotti in the Euganean Hills
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
A Convent on Monte della Madonna in the Euganean Hills
A Convent on Monte della Madonna in the Euganean Hills
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Fano, on the Adriatic Coast
Fano, on the Adriatic Coast
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Terracina: The View from the Inn, with the Temple of Jupiter Anxur
Terracina: The View from the Inn, with the Temple of Jupiter Anxur
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Naples: The Villa Belvedere, Seen from Sir William Hamilton's Villa at Posillipo
Naples: The Villa Belvedere, Seen from Sir William Hamilton's Villa at Posillipo
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Naples: The View from Sir William Hamilton's Villa at Portici
Naples: The View from Sir William Hamilton's Villa at Portici
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Portici: Mounts Somma and Vesuvius, from the Myrtle Plantation at Sir William Hamilton’s Villa
Portici: Mounts Somma and Vesuvius, from the Myrtle Plantation at Sir William Hamilton’s Villa
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Naples: Solimena’s Villa and Pine Trees
Naples: Solimena’s Villa and Pine Trees
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Portici: The Fortress in the Royal Park, Looking towards Mounts Somma and Vesuvius
Portici: The Fortress in the Royal Park, Looking towards Mounts Somma and Vesuvius
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Portici: The Imperial Minister's Villa, near the Harbour of Granatello
Portici: The Imperial Minister's Villa, near the Harbour of Granatello
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Portici: The View from Sir William Hamilton's Villa, with Vesuvius in the Distance
Portici: The View from Sir William Hamilton's Villa, with Vesuvius in the Distance
Yale Center for British Art, New Haven
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Portici: The Royal Palace, from the Park
Portici: The Royal Palace, from the Park
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Coast at Portici, with the Villa d'Elboeuf in the Foreground and the Harbour of Granatello Beyond
The Coast at Portici, with the Villa d'Elboeuf in the Foreground and the Harbour of Granatello Beyond
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Coast at Salerno, with Arechi Castle Overlooking the Town
The Coast at Salerno, with Arechi Castle Overlooking the Town
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The View from Salerno, Looking towards Vietri sul Mare
The View from Salerno, Looking towards Vietri sul Mare
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
An Unidentified Villa in a Valley near Vietri sul Mare
An Unidentified Villa in a Valley near Vietri sul Mare
Yale Center for British Art, New Haven
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Salerno: An Ancient Cypress in the Garden of the Franciscan Convent
Salerno: An Ancient Cypress in the Garden of the Franciscan Convent
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Coast at Vietri sul Mare, from near Salerno
The Coast at Vietri sul Mare, from near Salerno
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Torre Crestarella at Vietri sul Mare, with Salerno in the Distance
The Torre Crestarella at Vietri sul Mare, with Salerno in the Distance
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Cantilena Convent, near Vietri sul Mare
The Cantilena Convent, near Vietri sul Mare
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Cantilena Convent, near Vietri sul Mare
The Cantilena Convent, near Vietri sul Mare
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Convent of San Francesco at Cava de' Tirreni
The Convent of San Francesco at Cava de' Tirreni
The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, San Marino
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Naples: The Fifteenth-Century City Walls, with the Dome of Santa Caterina a Formiello
Naples: The Fifteenth-Century City Walls, with the Dome of Santa Caterina a Formiello
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
View from the Road Leading to the Scuola di Virgilio, Showing Nisida, the Islands of Ischia and Procida, and the Promontory of Miseno
View from the Road Leading to the Scuola di Virgilio, Showing Nisida, the Islands of Ischia and Procida, and the Promontory of Miseno
Private Collection, Norfolk
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Bay of Porto Paone, a Flooded Crater in the Islet of Nisida
The Bay of Porto Paone, a Flooded Crater in the Islet of Nisida
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Ancient Ruins on the Coast near the Point of Posillipo
Ancient Ruins on the Coast near the Point of Posillipo
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Naples: The View from an Enclosed Road at Posillipo
Naples: The View from an Enclosed Road at Posillipo
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Posillipo: The Palazzo di Roccella on the Shore
Posillipo: The Palazzo di Roccella on the Shore
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Amphitheatre at Capua
The Amphitheatre at Capua
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
A Ferry Crossing a River, on the Road between Eboli and Paestum
A Ferry Crossing a River, on the Road between Eboli and Paestum
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, John Robert Cozens
The View towards Salerno from the Road to Eboli
The View towards Salerno from the Road to Eboli
Yale Center for British Art, New Haven
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Naples: Castel Sant'Elmo
Naples: Castel Sant'Elmo
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Royal Park at Astroni
The Royal Park at Astroni
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Lake Agnano, Seen from Astroni
Lake Agnano, Seen from Astroni
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Naples: An Unidentified Convent, with Vesuvius in the Distance
Naples: An Unidentified Convent, with Vesuvius in the Distance
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Naples: A Range of Convents near Capodimonte, Including the Chinese College
Naples: A Range of Convents near Capodimonte, Including the Chinese College
The Whitworth, The University of Manchester
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Vanvitelli Aqueduct, near Caserta
The Vanvitelli Aqueduct, near Caserta
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Royal Palace at Caserta, Seen from the Road to the Vanvitelli Aqueduct
The Royal Palace at Caserta, Seen from the Road to the Vanvitelli Aqueduct
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Convent of Santa Lucia, near Caserta
The Convent of Santa Lucia, near Caserta
The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, San Marino
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Convent of Santa Lucia, near Caserta
The Convent of Santa Lucia, near Caserta
Yale Center for British Art, New Haven
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Ancient Ruins near the River Garigliano, Gaeta in the Distance
Ancient Ruins near the River Garigliano, Gaeta in the Distance
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Florence: The Palazzo Vecchio, Seen from the Cascine Park
Florence: The Palazzo Vecchio, Seen from the Cascine Park
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Florence: The Convent of Monte Oliveto, from the Banks of the Arno
Florence: The Convent of Monte Oliveto, from the Banks of the Arno
Horne Museum, Florence
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Florence: The Convent of Monte Oliveto, from the Banks of the Arno
Florence: The Convent of Monte Oliveto, from the Banks of the Arno
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
A Villa on the Banks of the River Arno, Known as the Villa Salviati
A Villa on the Banks of the River Arno, Known as the Villa Salviati
Yale Center for British Art, New Haven
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
A Building amongst Trees, on the River Arno near Florence
A Building amongst Trees, on the River Arno near Florence
Sphinx Fine Art, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
A View on the River Arno, with a Tower on a Hill
A View on the River Arno, with a Tower on a Hill
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Florence: The Palazzo Vecchio from the Boboli Gardens, with Fiesole in the Distance
Florence: The Palazzo Vecchio from the Boboli Gardens, with Fiesole in the Distance
Harrow School, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Florence: The View from the Boboli Gardens across the Valley of the Arno
Florence: The View from the Boboli Gardens across the Valley of the Arno
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
An Unidentified Villa, between Florence and Bologna
An Unidentified Villa, between Florence and Bologna
Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
A Wooded Shoreline on Lake Maggiore
A Wooded Shoreline on Lake Maggiore
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Angera: The Borromeo Castle Overlooking Lake Maggiore
Angera: The Borromeo Castle Overlooking Lake Maggiore
Tate, London
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Castle of Arona on Lake Maggiore
The Castle of Arona on Lake Maggiore
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Lake Maggiore, from the Shore
Lake Maggiore, from the Shore
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore
Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Lake Maggiore, from Isola Bella
Lake Maggiore, from Isola Bella
Yale Center for British Art, New Haven
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
A Distant View of the Grande Chartreuse
A Distant View of the Grande Chartreuse
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Buildings on a Promontory on the Coast at Posillipo
Buildings on a Promontory on the Coast at Posillipo
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
The Marmore Falls, near Terni
The Marmore Falls, near Terni
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
A Narrow Gorge Leading to the Grande Chartreuse
A Narrow Gorge Leading to the Grande Chartreuse
Private Collection
Thomas Girtin, Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Robert Cozens
Florence: The View from the Grand Duke's Garden
Florence: The View from the Grand Duke's Garden
Private Collection
Footnotes
- 1 The full diary entry, giving crucial details of the artists’ work at Monro’s house, is transcribed in the Documents section of the Archive (1798 – Item 2).
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About this Work
This view of the royal park in the crater at Astroni, west of Naples, is based on a composition by John Robert Cozens (1752–97) (see figure 1). It appears to have been produced during a period when Girtin was employed, together with his contemporary Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851), at the home of their mutual patron Dr Thomas Monro (1759–1833). Here they were paid to make ‘finished drawings’ from the ‘Copies’ of the ‘outlines or unfinished drawings of Cozens’ and other artists and, as the two young artists later recalled, Girtin generally ‘drew in outlines and Turner washed in the effects’ (Farington, Diary, 12 November 1798).1 In all they produced several hundred drawings after the sketches and outlines of Cozens, though this example does not fit into the general pattern of their work for Monro. Certainly, it is based on a sketch by Cozens, but, whilst the Monro School works saw a strict division of labour, with Girtin producing an outline from the source material and Turner adding washes of colour, here both elements seem to have been carried out by Girtin alone. Even though there is a tendency for the art market to prize Turner’s contribution over that of Girtin, this work was attributed to Girtin when it appeared at auction in 1984 and again in 2021, and, as far as can be told from an online image, Turner was not involved in its production. Monro’s posthumous sale included a number of ‘views in Italy’ that were attributed to just Girtin, including ‘Three, by Girtin, after Cozens’ (Exhibitions: Christie’s, 2 July 1833, lot 35), and it is possible that this work is one of those. However, the 1833 sale also included a view of Astroni attributed to Turner (Exhibitions: Christie’s, 27 June 1833, lot 76), and it is more than likely that the scale of Girtin’s labours for Monro had already been compromised within a few years of his death.