THOMAS SHOTTER BOYS, N.W.S. (LONDON 1803-1874)

The present drawing has previously been attributed to Richard Parkes Bonington (1802-1828), and demonstrates the closeness of Bonington and Boys's working practices in Paris in the 1820s. The composition is close to Bonington's unfinished oil The Pont des Arts and Ile de la Cite from the Quai du Louvre (Tate Britain, P. Noon, op.cit, p. 208), and is also strongly related to an 1830 watercolour by Boys, sold Sotheby's, London, 7 July 2019, lot 412. It appears that Boys and Bonington were probably working alongside each other, or from each others sketches on this occasion, towards the end of Bonington's life.
Boys had gone to Paris in 1822 or 1823 as an engraver, having held an apprenticeship under George Cooke (1781-1834) in London. He arrived as Bonington was completing his studies at the Ecole des Beaux Arts, and Bonington's influence was crucial in persuading Boys to move his focus from engraving to painting. By 1827 they were working closely together, often standing side by side to paint the same view.
We are grateful to Patrick Noon for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.