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拍品专文
Similar to a watercolour by Williams of the same view in the Benaki Museum, Athens (no. 25194), dated 1819, the present lot depicts the city of Thebes, at one time a major rival to Athens, in a particularly Claudian manner.
On visiting Thebes in 1839 the Reverend S.S. Wilson, overwhelmed by the history of the area, exclaimed 'What a sight! What vivid recollections! There, Homer's chivalric bands had fought, and sinned and bled. There, many a bard had sung, many a hero had multiplied widows and orphans...There, inspired apostles had taught 'the glorious gospel'' (F.-M. Tsigakou, The Rediscovery of Greece, London, 1981, p.71).
For further information on Williams see lot 181.
On visiting Thebes in 1839 the Reverend S.S. Wilson, overwhelmed by the history of the area, exclaimed 'What a sight! What vivid recollections! There, Homer's chivalric bands had fought, and sinned and bled. There, many a bard had sung, many a hero had multiplied widows and orphans...There, inspired apostles had taught 'the glorious gospel'' (F.-M. Tsigakou, The Rediscovery of Greece, London, 1981, p.71).
For further information on Williams see lot 181.