F.G. Gainsford Rome, a view of St Peter’s Basilica

Sold by Order of the Trustees of Ampleforth Abbey

F.G. Gainsford
Worksop, Nottinghamshire circa 1782–after 1861
Rome, a view of St Peter's Basilica

oil on canvas, unlined
unframed: 152 x 204 cm.; 59⅞ x 80⅜ in.
framed: 167 x 218.5 cm.; 65¾ x 86 in.

Condition Report:
The canvas is unlined, the paint surface is clean and the varnish is clear. The painting presents well and areas of well preserved impasto are visible in parts of the architecture. A handful of paint losses or visible in parts of the canvas: in the colonnade to the left, the centre of the piazza (left of the obelisk) and by the steps of St Peter’s to the right. Areas of discoloured retouching are visible: in some on the clouds and in the paving of the piazza. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms the above and further reveals scattered lines of retouching and strengthening in the paving of the piazza and following the outline of parts of the architecture. It also reveals what appears to be a repaired tear above the hills to the right, measuring approximately 5cm. The painting is ready to hang and is in overall fairly good condition.

Catalogue Note:
Francis Gainsford was born in Worksop, a market town in the Bassetlaw District in Nottinghamshire, in circa 1782. Mostly known as a portrait painter, he exhibited fairly regularly Royal Academy between 1805 and 1815. By the time of the 1861 United Kingdom census he was aged 79, living in Well Street, Holywell, Flintshire and described as 'Proprietor of houses'.1

1 https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG212101

Provenance:
Painted while the artist was art master at Ampleforth Abbey, Yorkshire, in the early 19th century;

Taken by Bishop Peter Augustine Baines to Prior Park, Bath, 1830–35;

Returned to Ampleforth Abbey, Yorkshire, in 1835, since when it has remained in the collection.