the collector's folio

Francis Towne Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Francis Towne our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Francis Towne · 1739 – 1816

The Forest of Radnor, with the Black Mountains in the Distance

1810 · Courtauld Gallery, London · original 17 x 50 cm

A serene mountain landscape featuring a lone figure and dog captures the essence of Francis Towne's 1810 watercolor style, offering a peaceful glimpse into the Black Mountains that you can bring to your collection.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18152 × 19 cm Commission this artwork

View Near Naples

1781 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Old Walton Bridge

1785 · Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · original 39.8 x 78.1cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18145 × 22 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$24678 × 40 cm Commission at original size

At Tivoli, Mountain Landscape In The Alban Hills, Italy

Francis Towne’s "At Tivoli" captures a serene Italian landscape in classical style. Explore this atmospheric oil painting of mountains & paths, showcasing Baroque/Romanticism's beauty.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18138 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Roadside Scene In Rome

Experience the serene beauty of Francis Towne's "Roadside Scene In Rome." This Baroque-inspired landscape captures timeless Italian charm with golden light & atmospheric perspective. Explore a rediscovered master!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Mrs Martha Nichols

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18129 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Derwentwater from the South

1790 · Leeds Museums - Galleries, Leeds

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18157 × 18 cm Commission this artwork

Exeter From Exwick, Devon

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18138 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

View From Rydal Park

Discover 'View From Rydal Park' by Francis Towne – a serene watercolor landscape showcasing Romantic beauty & Italian influence. Explore this rediscovered British master’s tranquil scenes.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18126 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

The Vale of St. John,

1786

Admire 'The Vale of St. John' by Francis Towne (1786). A stunning landscape painting featuring snow-capped mountains, trees & a charming village. Hand-painted reproduction available.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18138 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Near maentwrog, north wales

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18128 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Landscape With A Castle

Discover 'Landscape With A Castle' by Francis Towne! This oil painting showcases a Dutch Golden Age style landscape with a castle, intricate details & atmospheric perspective. Explore this timeless artwork.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$23136 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Cascades At Tivoli

1781 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The Valley Of The Teign, Devonshire

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18138 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Sir Thomas Dyke Acland

Francis Towne’s ‘Sir Thomas Dyke Acland’ captures a serene rural landscape in muted tones. Explore this Romantic oil painting's beauty, perspective & historical context.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20639 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Chepstow Castle

1777 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18136 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Grasmere From The Rydal Road

1786 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18138 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Rydal water,

1786

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18139 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Italian Landscape, View of Capri,

1784

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18140 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

Rydal water

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18138 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Derwentwater looking south,

1786

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18140 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

View Of Ludlow Castle

1777 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18136 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

View At The Head Of The Lake Of Windermere

1786 · Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18148 × 21 cm Commission this artwork

The Sources of the Aveyron,1781

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18127 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

View Looking Towards The Appenines, Italy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 39 artworks by Francis Towne
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18137 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Francis Towne

1739 – 1816

Quick facts

Museums on APSBirmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Yale Center for British Art, Courtauld Gallery, Leeds Museums - Galleries
Corpus themesromantic landscape
Art periodEarly Modern
Died1816
Creative periodsmature period, late medieval
Lifespan77 years
Also known asFrancis Town, Old Francis Town, フランシス・タウン, Фрэнсис Таун
NationalityUnited Kingdom

Biography

The Elegant Vision of Francis Towne

In the delicate interplay of light and wash that defines the golden age of British watercolor, the name Francis Towne emerges as a figure of profound elegance and stylistic distinction. Born in Iselin in 1739, Towne’s journey from an apprentice in the London coach-painting trade to a recognized master of landscape painting is a testament to the transformative power of artistic devotion. His early life, rooted in the industrious atmosphere of Middlesex, provided him with a foundational discipline that would later manifest in his meticulous approach to color and form. Though he began his career far from the fine arts, his innate talent was quickly recognized; by 1759, he had already secured a design prize from the Society of Arts, signaling the arrival of a significant new voice in the English landscape tradition.

The evolution of Towne’s aesthetic was deeply shaped by his travels, most notably his formative journey to Italy between 1780 and 1781. This period of exploration did more than merely expose him to classical vistas; it allowed him to absorb the nuances of light and the sophisticated techniques of contemporary English watercolorists working abroad. Upon his return, his work began to reflect a unique synthesis of topographical accuracy and a more stylized, almost decorative sensibility. This "flat colourful pattern-making," as art historians have noted, aligned perfectly with the burgeoning tastes of his era, blending the rugged beauty of the British countryside—captured during study trips to Wales and the Lake District—with a refined, rhythmic grace that felt both modern and timeless.

A Legacy Rediscovered

Despite his undeniable skill, Towne’s historical trajectory was one of ebb and flow. During his lifetime, he enjoyed a respectable reputation, though he famously faced the frustration of repeated exclusions from the Royal Academy. Following his death in 1816, his name drifted into a period of relative obscurity, as the shifting tides of art history often overlooked those who did not adhere to the rigid academicism of the succeeding generations. It was not until the early 20th century that a passionate revival brought his genius back into the light. The discerning eye of collectors like Paul Oppé played a crucial role in this resurrection; by recognizing the immense value in Towne’s elegant, early manner, these collectors helped ensure that his masterpieces were preserved rather than lost to time.

Today, the significance of Francis Towne is firmly established within the canon of British art. His works are no longer mere curiosities but are celebrated treasures held in the most prestigious institutions worldwide, including:

The British Museum, where his technical mastery is studied by scholars of watercolor.
The Yale Center for British Art, which preserves his contribution to the landscape tradition.
Private Collections, where his ability to evoke atmosphere through subtle washes continues to captivate enthusiasts.

The enduring appeal of Towne lies in his ability to transcend simple documentation. He did not merely paint landscapes; he composed them. Through a sophisticated use of watercolor, he captured the essence of the Devon countryside and the dramatic peaks of Wales with a sense of poetic structure. His legacy remains a vital chapter in the history of British painting, representing a moment when the landscape became a canvas for both naturalistic observation and exquisite, stylized artistry.

Questions & Answers

How do I find works by Francis Towne in a specific palette?

The By Palettes page groups Francis Towne's artworks by their color palettes.

How do I find all works by Francis Towne in a given medium?

The All Medium page groups Francis Towne's artworks by technique.

Where can I find statistics about Francis Towne's works?

A Stats page exists for Francis Towne, presenting statistics about the artist's artworks on this website.

By the WahooArt.com Editorial Team Updated July 12, 2026

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your Francis Towne

Every artwork by Francis Towne in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Francis Towne