John Colley Nixon, In the Park at Benham, Newbury, Berkshire, 1800, Watercolour, Framed

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An original 1800 watercolour painting, John Colley Nixon, In the Park at Benham, Newbury, Berkshire.A wonderful topographical drawing of Benham … Read more An original 1800 watercolour painting, John Colley Nixon, In the Park at Benham, Newbury, Berkshire.A wonderful topographical drawing of Benham Park at Speen just west of Newbury in Berkshire, by John Colley Nixon (c.1755–1818), one of the most notable amateur artists working in London in the late 18th century. from what at first appears an unassuming sketch unfolds a story of one of the 18th century's most important feminists and a home at the centre of an alternative, bohemian social milieu of Regency England.Benham Park was the home of Elizabeth Craven (1750–1828), author, playwright and travel writer. Elizabeth, née Berkeley, was married to William Craven, 6th Baron Craven, until his death in 1791. Benham, as it is seen in this drawing, was built for William Craven by Henry Holland and Capability Brown in 1775, designed in a handsome neoclassical style. The house overlooks the picturesque valley of the River Kennet to the south, an area formerly water meadows, crossed by several waterways.Elizabeth Craven was a celebrated society hostess and beauty. She included amongst her friends Horace Walpole, visiting his home at Strawberry Hill and some of her early work was published on the Strawberry Hill Press. But she had been pushed to marry William against her will aged just sixteen, and their marriage was unhappy and full of scandal. After thirteen years, seven children, and affairs reported on both sides, the couple parted permanently in 1780. Thereafter she lived at Versailles, Paris and travelled extensively on the Continent and in the Levant. In 1789 Walpole encouraged her to publish the story of her travels, 'A Journey through the Crimea to Constantinople'.Whilst in Europe, Elizabeth became involved with Charles Alexander, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach. During her years at the Ansbach court, she formed an amateur theatre at court and wrote several plays in French. She went on to marry the Margrave in 1791. Back in England, they bought a house at Fulham overlooking the Thames which they called Brandenburg House. Here Elizabeth mounted numerous theatrical productions at her private theatre and also at Benham Park. Often these plays touched on the theme of women’s status in marriage or the oppressive custom of arranged marriage. She and her circle of unconventional friends, artists, musicians, writers, French emigrés, wits and wags, created a high-spirited atmosphere and a riot of amusement.Amongst these friends was the wealthy London merchant and accomplished amateur artist and actor John Colley Nixon (c.1755–1818), who has here drawn Benham Park in 1800. Nixon acted in many of Craven's productions at Benham and at Brandenburg House. He was a part of the fashionable artistic set and served as Secretary of the bohemian Beefsteak Club, one of London's earliest clubs. He was a close friend of Thomas Rowlandson and was himself a talented caricature artist. He also produced many topographical drawings and was friends with the topographer and satirist Captain Francis Grose, who accompanied him on one of the frequent trips to Ireland. His topographical work features in the series 'Seats of the Nobility and Gentry' and he illustrated travel books, such as Thomas Pennant's 'Journey from London to the Isle of Wight'. Nixon exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1781 and 1815.In ink and watercolour wash on cream wove paper. Mounted onto backing paper with window cut verso.Provenance: Albany Gallery Collection.All artworks come with a Certificate of Authenticity. Signed: Signed verso. Inscribed: Inscribed verso 'in the Park at Benham the Margrave of Anspach's near Newbury'. Also inscribed below on backing paper and numbered '12'. Dated: Dated verso. Height: 15.5cm (6.1″) Width: 22.5cm (8.9″) Condition: In good condition for its age. Slight age toning visible to the verso. Raw edges to the backing paper and historic mounting tape as shown. Please see photos for detail. Presented: Unframed. See less