(1694 - 1771), painter and essayist, s. of Jonathan Richardson, painter of London.
1720 - 1 Milan, Modena, Parma, Bologna, Florence (Jul.), Rome (before 19 Mar. 1721), Pisa, Siena, Lucca, Parma, Mantua, Verona
An Account Of some of the Statues, Bas-reliefs, Drawings and Pictures in Italy, &c. with Remarks by Mr Richardson Sen. and Jun., published in 1722, became a work of the greatest importance for British travellers. It was essentially drawn from the notes made in Italy by Richardson junior. His itinerary may be deduced from the text and the date 1720 - 1 is implied from internal evidence, viz. he did not see Naples, Venice or Genoa, because of the 'terrible events' at Marseilles - which must refer both to the Anglo-Spanish conflict of 1718-20 and, more particularly, to the outbreak of the plague between June and December 1720 - and he was in Rome before the death of Clement XI (19 March 1721). That his journey was relatively brief, probably within a year, is suggested by his father's remarks in the Preface; 'the Time my Son spent Abroad was indeed not Long', he travelled 'in a manner very Commodious, and Expeditious', furnished with 'an Excellent Constitution' and supplied with 'proper Recommendations' (it is clear, for example, that Richardson met Ficoroni in Florence). 'One Morning in the Month of July he was on the Road by One o'clock, Travell'd the whole Day in that Hot Season with the Intermission only of about two Hours at Noon; he then pass'd the Apennines, (a Rough, Tiresome way) came to Florence about six in the Evening, saw a Procession in the Cathedral, the whole Service held about three hours; then he went to his Inn, and after a very short Stay to the Opera, (which begins there at that time o'Night,) the next Morning he was busy in Seeing, and Observing what was Curious from one end of the Town to the other'. Richardson junior's notes were edited and expanded by his father; 'I am well satisfy'd my Son when he was Abroad was not Unmindful of his Own particular Pleasure, and Improvement from the Sight of those Fine things he went to see; but I am no less persuaded that what he Principally intended in making, and noting down his Observations was to gratify Me'.