Thomas Girtin (British 1775-1802) circa 1797/St Pauls Cathedral from St Martin-le-Grand/signed lower left/watercolour with bodycolour and gum Arabic on fibrous hemp/linen broad laid wrapping, 47cm x 38cm/Note: Girtin's boyhood was spent at 2 St Martin-le-Grand, where his widowed mother kept a wood turners shop, he alludes to it in the sign F. Girton, Toy Maker in this watercolour, a typical little joke from the artist. Girtin made three versions of this view: an unfinished, grey wash drawing (Yale Centre for British Art) and a watercolour (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York), both around 1795. The present watercolour, with different figures, is the most vividly coloured and accomplished; the high-waisted dress of the fashionable lady at the right suggests that it was made circa 1798, The subtle play of light on the curving street and the lively, witty street life reflects Girtin's delight in the bustling metropolis. Our thanks go to Susan Morris for helping us attribute this watercolour directly to Thomas Girtin, and to Father Stephen Horton of Prinknash Abbey for encouraging us to research this watercolour further./Provenance: Plas Gwyn, Anglesey