John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- Herding sheep through a gatehouse,...

John Varley, OWS,
British 1778-1842-

Herding sheep through a gatehouse, Polesden Lacey;

watercolour on paper, signed and dated 'J. Varley / 1831', 26.3 x 37.4 cm. (unframed / mounted).

Provenance:
Joseph Bonsor, owner of Polesden Lacey (1768-1835), from 1824 (thence by descent).
Anon. sale, Bonhams, London, 23 October 2019, lot 211.

Note:
Varley first saw Polesden Lacey with Dr Monro in 1800, when visiting him at his house in Fetcham, Surrey. However the present drawing was made later. In 1816 the estate was sold to Joseph Bonsor, who built a new villa on the site, designed by Thomas Cubitt (1788-1855). Varley produced a number of views on the estate, depicting the house and its grounds from a range of vantage points, illustrating its impressive extent.