Stock Photo - One of a series of eight paintings by Balthasar Nebot (active 1729-1765) showing the spectacular garden landscape of Hartwell House, just outside Aylesbury, in 1738. By slightly distorting the perspective in the picture, Nebot reveals in one sweep several of the monuments in the gardens; a statue of Hercules, a glimpse through an opening to the long canal, the William III column and the menagerie, the tower of the medieval parish church, an arcaded pavilion, a Gothic tower, a pyramid and finally a statue of the satyr Marsyas. The formal green architecture of topiary hedges, with classical stone temples and statues of gods and goddesses, was balanced by informal views towards the town. Sir Thomas Lee (1687-1749) of Hartwell commissioned the painting from Nebot, a little-known Spanish painter, based in Covent Garden. They provide a unique record of a country estate and garden landscape at this time. The people of Hartwell – family, visitors, household and estate staff and, especially the gardeners – are also portrayed in great detail.