Sir James Thornhill (1675-1734), Circle of. Study for a painted ceiling with an assembly of the gods surrounded with decorative border

Sir James Thornhill (1675-1734), Circle of.

Study for a painted ceiling with an assembly of the gods surrounded with decorative border
Pen and black ink over traces of graphite, with grey and yellow wash on laid paper, mounted on support without visible watermark, sheet 270 x 215mm (10 5/8 x 8 1/2in) (unframed)

Provenance:
Sale. Christie's, London, English Drawings and Watercolours, 11th November 1969, lot 43;

Sale. Sotheby's, London, British Paintings, Drawings and Watercolours, 21st September 1983, lot 402;

Sale. Dukes, Dorchester, Paintings and Drawings, 11th April 2013, lot 51

⁂ Traditionally understood to have been drawn by Thornhill, however close comparison of the handling and execution suggest an artist working in his circle, someone likely to have been familiar with the work of Louis Leguerre and Daniel Marot; an attribution to the latter has been suggested.