Abraham-Louis-Rodolphe Ducros (Yverdon 1748-1810 Lausanne)

From 1784 Ducros produced large scale drawings of which the present capriccio is a particularly large and accomplished example. These works were intended to be hung, like oil pictures, and were often laid down on canvas by the artist and framed. Such is also the case for the present drawing, which interestingly retains the original label with Ducros' printed instructions how to hang and preserve the work (see Images of the Grand Tour. Louis Ducros 1748-1810, exhib. cat., Kenwood House and elsewhere, 1985-1986, appendix 3).These large and decorative works were in high demand by English collectors and the present drawing was bought by an Englishman too; the inscription on the verso by Ducros reads 'London/ à Monsieur Fischer a Vinsor [...]'. Another capriccio with an inscription with the buyer's name is in the Victoria & Albert Museum (ibid., no. 24).