John Varley, O.W.S. (London 1778-1842)

Varley's earliest watercolour of the river front at Chiswick is dated 1806 (Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge) and in 1811 he publically exhibited watercolours of this stretch of the River Thames for the first time. Chiswick was to become one of his favourite motifs. He created a number of variants around this theme: each watercolour given its own individuality through the careful placing of boats and figures on the water, and the varying times of day from dawn to sunset.

For another watercolour by John Varley see lot 153 and for another Varley view of Chiswick see lot 174.