View of the Wilderness with the Alhambra, Pagoda and the Mosque

Location

Country: Poland
City: Warsaw
Place: British Embassy

Landscapist William Marlow was born in London or Southwark. He trained in the studio of marine painter Samuel Scott in Covent Garden (1756-61) and is also thought to have studied at the St Martin’s Lane Academy. Marlow spent his early career travelling around England in search of subjects; painting English country houses and the areas around Twickenham, Richmond, and the lower banks of the Thames. On the advice of the Duchess of Northumberland he travelled to France and Italy (1765-66). He exhibited at the Society of Artists, becoming Vice-President in 1778, and at the Royal Academy. Marlow lived for a time in Leicester Fields (now Leicester Square). His one pupil was John Curtis. In c.1785 he retired to Twickenham, where he died aged 72.
Little is known of the early life of Edward Rooker. He was a pupil of engraver Henry Roberts, in High Holborn, while simultaneously pursuing a career in acting. Between 1748 and 1749, he engraved drawings after designs by Inigo Jones and Christopher Wren. He appeared on stage at the New Wells Theatre in 1749 and, by 1752, had joined the company at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. His career as an engraver continued with plates for William Chambers’ ‘Designs of Chinese Buildings’ (1757) and James Stuart’s ‘Antiquities of Athens’ (1762). He collaborated with Paul and Thomas Sandby on ‘Six London Views’, and again with Thomas for illustrations to Tasso’s ‘Jerusalem Delivered’. He died unexpectedly, at around the time of 50th birthday.

Places

England, Surrey, London

Subjects

topography, landscape C18th, tree, man, woman, botanic garden, park, mosque, pagoda

Materials & Techniques

engraving, coloured engraving

Artist

William Marlow (1740 - 1813)
Edward Rooker (1712 - 1774)

Title

View of the Wilderness with the Alhambra, Pagoda and the Mosque

Date

Medium

Coloured engraving

Dimensions

height: 32.50 cm, width: 48.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Parker Gallery, June 1971

GAC number

9285