Near Canonteign, Devon

This composition is very close to Abbott's 'View near Fordlands, a Country House near Exeter' in the Victoria & Albert Museum's collection. It is one of many sketches made by Abbott directly from nature on his estate at Canonteign in Devon. Its style is influenced by Francis Towne's (1739 - 1816) Swiss and Italian drawings, which Abbott copied between 1816 and 1825 when they were owned by his uncle.