View across the Bay of Naples

David Cox made three visits to mainland Europe in 1826, 1829 and 1832. In 1826, he visited Belgium and Flanders, in 1829 he undertook a six week tour of Northern France and Paris; and in his final tour of 1832, he concentrated on the northern ports of Calais, Dieppe and Boulogne. Cox did not visit Italy, and the present watercolour must have been based on views by another artist. The Bay of Naples held great appeal for Cox, as there are at least four other watercolours depicting similar views of Naples, including a small watercolour in the collection of Harrow School.