francis towne was a british watercolour landscape painter and teacher, who spent his career between his native london and exeter. towne travelled to italy in 1780-81, which was strongly formative for his style, perhaps as much for what he learned from other english watercolourists there as from the sights or italian art. he also went on "study trips" to wales and the lake district. he was reasonably well known in his lifetime, though failing repeatedly to get elected to the royal academy, but soon became neglected after his death. he remained an obscure figure until the early 20th century, so…