The Friends have recently helped purchase two new watercolours of Bristol life in the early 1800s.

‘Rownham Ferry’

This watercolour and bodycolour on plaster of Paris, was painted by John M Field in 1820.  It is a very detailed and unusual watercolour showing the New Inn and Rownham Hill from near Freeland Place, Hotwells.

John Field was one of the most successful silhouette artists in London in the early nineteenth century.  Several of his rare paintings on plaster were exhibited at the Royal Academy.

The painting cost £2200, which was shared equally between the V&A Art Grant Fund, and The Friends.

This item is included in the current ‘What’s New?’ exhibition in the Watercolour Gallery

‘Frederick Strachan’

This watercolour was painted c. 1832/3.  The painter is unknown, but was probably one of the ‘Bristol School’ of artists.

Frederick Strachan (1807-1862) was the son of an outfitter and habit maker of 52 Park Street.  He emigrated to Australia in April 1833, and this painting may have been done for his family just before he left.

The cost of this work was £550 paid in full by The Friends.

To see the pictures enlarged, just click once on each.

Both of these items are included in the current ‘What’s New?’ exhibition in the Watercolour Gallery