Italianate Architectural Capriccios from an ill-fated artist

Two rare and poignant Italianate works by the young architect John Harper (1809–1842) who died of malaria on his way to Naples in 1842 aged just thirty-two.

Born in Lancashire, at Dunkenhalgh Hall near Blackburn, Harper studied under Benjamin and Philip Wyatt, during which time he prepared the designs for Apsley House, York House, and the Duke of York's Column in London. Returning north after his training, Harper moved to York, where he established his own architectural practice, working on buildings such as St Peter's School, Clifton and St Leonard's Terrace. He was also employed by the Duke of Devonshire at Bolton Abbey.

He was a close friend of the York artist William Etty (1787–1849), who painted his portrait (image 3 – now in the collection of York Art Gallery).