Chiswick from the River

This is the earliest known view of Chiswick and the first known painting of a London garden. From left to right can be seen Old Corney House, the parish church of St Nicholas, and Chiswick Eyot, with some larger Tudor houses on the waterfront beyond. A chariot has drawn up on the left and two fishermen are being watched dragging nets. Close by is a fishing boat, with a stationary barge laden with merchandise beyond. On the right is a barge, bearing the arms of the City Corporation, firing a salute.

The attribution of this painting to Jacob Knyff rests on its close similarity in style to a view of Durdans House, Epsom, which is signed and dated by the artist. Knyff was a topographical painter who was born in Haarlem in Holland. By 1673, he had relocated to England and was working in London.