Artist: Wolff (British School, 20th Century)
Title: Dr Samuel Johnson’s Summerhouse at Kenwood House (1986)
Medium: Oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right: “Wolff 86”
Edition: Original artwork
Artwork Dimensions: approx. 121cm × 61cm (47.5" × 24")
Frame Dimensions: approx. 133cm × 74cm (52" × 29")
Condition: Image: Very good. Strong colours, no paint loss. Frame shows light age‑related wear.
Gallery Price: na
About the artwork
A richly atmospheric 1986 oil painting depicting the historic Dr Samuel Johnson’s Summerhouse during its rare and short-lived period at Kenwood House, Hampstead. The composition shows the summerhouse nestled among dense foliage, approached by stone steps and accompanied by a garden bench — a tranquil, secluded corner of the Kenwood estate.
The summerhouse has a remarkable history. Originally located in the gardens of Streatham Park, the home of Henry and Hester Thrale, it was used by Dr Samuel Johnson during the 1770s–1780s. In the 1820s it was moved to Ashgrove, Knockholt, and in 1968 it was relocated once more to Kenwood House. The structure was tragically destroyed by fire in 1991.
Painted in 1986, this work captures the building just five years before its loss, making it a rare visual record of a now-vanished literary landmark. A handwritten note on the reverse of the artwork confirms this provenance and timeline.
About the Artist
Wolff (British School, 20th Century) produced a number of detailed landscape paintings throughout the 1970s–1990s, often focusing on British heritage sites, gardens, and woodland scenes. Works signed “Wolff” appear in UK auction records, including several depictions of Kenwood House and its grounds. This painting is a fine example of their atmospheric, naturalistic style.
