Skating in Hyde Park

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

Philip James de Loutherbourg, was born in Germany, the son of a miniaturist and engraver. The family moved to Paris in 1755 where he studied with Carle Van Loo and Jean-Georges Wille, before entering the studio of François Joseph Casanova. He left Paris in 1768 to travel through France, Switzerland and the Rhineland. In 1771 he arrived in London, where David Garrick gave him control of the scenery at Drury Lane Theatre. He remained at the theatre when Sheridan took over. In 1781, he became a member of the Royal Academy. He travelled throughout the UK on sketching tours and began painting naval victories in the 1790s. In 1807 he was made Historical Painter to the Duke of Gloucester. He died in Hammersmith, aged 71.

Places

England, London, Hyde Park, The Serpentine

Subjects

pitchfork, shovel/spade, skating, sport, topography, genre, tree, winter, ice, snow, lake, elderly woman, man, woman, 18th century costume, 19th century costume, shawl, dress, coat, stockings, boots, breeches, bonnet, hat, broom, basket, child, park, chair

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil

Artist

Philip James de Loutherbourg (1740 - 1812)

Title

Skating in Hyde Park

Date

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 87.00 cm, width: 122.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Sir Bruce Ingram, 1963

Provenance

[Possibly sold through Christie's, London, on 9 July 1887 (Lot 136), as 'The Skaters - Mr. and Mrs. De L., Picat, and Webber', for £84; from which sale purchased by Vokins;] collection of journalist and newspaper editor Sir Bruce Stirling Ingram (1877-1963); from whom purchased by the Ministry of Works in 1963

GAC number

1497