Thomas Miles Richardson Jr. (1813-1890) - Tower at Rüdisheim on the Rhine

Thomas Miles Richardson Jr. followed in his sucessful father's footsteps to become a professional artist and also was trained by him. 'He bgan his career in Newcastle, sending works to London for exhibition from 1832. He moed to London himself in 1846, having been elected A.O.W.S. in 1843. He was elected to full membership in 1851. He made extensive tours of Scotland and the North of England and from 1843 travelled widely on the Continent. Highland scenes and views in the Swiss and Italian Alps were among his favourite subjects. He was a skilful draughtsman with a good eye for composition. He was fond of bright colours and used a quantity of white heightening.' [1]
 
Our work is from one of the artist's continental tours. It is dated the 3rd July but unfortunately it does not include the year. However, Richardson Jr. completed many drawings of the Rhine so it could have been from the 1860s or later. The drawing depicts the Eagle tower  which is a late Gothic structure from the 15th century that was part of the fortifications of the German town of Rüdesheim on the Rhine. This picturesque view was captured by various artists including JMW Turner, Samuel Prout and Clarkson Stanfield.
 
Medium: Pencil and watercolour on paper,  inscribed l.l. 'Tower at Rudisheim July 3', 15 x 20cm, framed.
 
Provenance: The Manning Galleries Ltd, Bond Street (label verso).
 
Literature:
 
[1] Huon Mallieu (2002), 'The Dictionary of British Watercolour Artists up to 1920: Volume II M-Z', Antique Collectors Club: Woodbridge, p.128. See entry on artist.
 
Condition report: generally in good condition. Some fading from a previous mount on the edge of the watercolour.