Balthasar Nebot - Gardens of Hartwell House, Aylesbury - 3/8
One of a series of eight paintings by Balthasar Nebot (active 1729-1765) showing the spectacular garden landscape of Hartwell House, just outside Aylesbury, in 1738. A game of bowls is taking place on the green in front of the house. The most prominent character in the group is a Knight of the Garter, possibly Frederick, Prince of Wales, who visited nearby Stowe in 1737. He gestures up the topiary avenue that leads to the column with the statue of William III. William became king in 1689, which was a turning point in the political fortunes of the Whig landowners. The formal green architecture of topiary hedges, with classical stone temples and statues of gods and goddesses, was balanced by informal views towards the town. Sir Thomas Lee (1687-1749) of Hartwell commissioned the painting from Nebot, a little-known Spanish painter, based in Covent Garden. They provide a unique record of a country estate and garden landscape at this time. The people of Hartwell - family, visitors, household and estate staff and, especially the gardeners - are also portrayed in great detail
