Oil picture. 56 by 36 in.
The following description of this interesting picture is culled from
the “Gentleman’s Magazine,” September 1836: “It represents Ranelagh
Grove, leading to Lord Ranelagh’s house and grounds, Chelsea, so
celebrated afterwards as a place of fashionable resort. In the
foreground are figures setting on two dogs to fight, painted in a
style which reminds one of the ‘Stages of Cruelty.’ Behind is a chariot
richly ornamented with carving and gilding in the taste of the time,
containing a lady and gentleman drawn by two white horses. Another
carriage is seen on the right proceeding towards Chelsea through
a lane lined with high trees. On the same side of the picture is a
village fair, with a number of figures, among which may be recognized
the fire-eater, seen in Hogarth’s ‘Southwark Fair.’ On the left a
man strongly resembling Colonel Charteris, is conducting a young
lady attended by two maids, near whom is the puzzling inscription:
KEE PONT HISS IDE [keep on this side]. The distance is a perspective
view of a long row of trees with houses on each side, to the present
day called Ranelagh Grove.”
Richard Jones, first Earl of Ranelagh, built the house at Chelsea
known by his name in 1689-90, on land granted by lease from the Crown.
He had here a famous garden. The property was sold in 1733, and soon
afterwards it became a place of entertainment.
Has been ascribed to HOGARTH; perhaps by F. HAYMAN (1708-1776).
_Lent by Mary, Countess of Ilchester._