Naive School, At Clevedon, Bristol – Original 1850s watercolour painting
Naive School, At Clevedon, Bristol – Original 1850s watercolour painting

Naive School At Clevedon, Bristol

£28.00
£28.00
Ausverkauft
View the full Collection: Topography of the South West: Naive School Watercolours 1850s

An original 1850s watercolour painting, Naive School, At Clevedon, Bristol.

A charming mid-19th-century topographical watercolour by a naive hand. The artist is likely to be female, quite possibly the daughter or wife of a local clergyman.

This painting forms part of a collection of views in southwest England and south Wales at a time when, although still predominantly rural, the region's landscapes were increasingly showing the signs of the industrial development that would transform them in the decades to come. The rural views feature small chimneys, windmills and watermills, and coastal scenes show the popularity of the Victorian seaside, newly accessible by rail.

On paper laid down on backing paper.

+ Read the S&W Collection Research

Topography of the South West: Naive School Watercolours 1850s

This watercolour is one of a charming collection of mid-19th-century works that we have for sale by the same hand. The paintings are a fascinating record of landscapes in southwest England and south Wales at this time. The collection includes views on the Avon near Bristol, at Rownham Ferry, Crew's Hole and Hambrook, and at Horfield Common and Fishponds, showing the decidedly rural topography around Bristol in the 1850s. Other views include coastal landscapes at Portishead and Clevedon west of Bristol, Exmouth and Weymouth on the south coast, and at Swansea, Gower and Milford Haven in south Wales. The views nevertheless show glimpses of industry, the 'copper mine' at Saltford, Hambrook mill and Bristol Tar Works, and they evidence the popularity of seaside recreation and the ubiquitous Victorian bathing machine.

The watercolours are full of jostling detail—animals, figures, small houses, boats—which brings the landscapes characterfully to life. Their naive style captures this sense of life with an appealing frankness and authenticity. The paintings are a reflection of Victorian genteel society: our artist clearly had the means and leisure time to travel and paint. One of the paintings shows what appears to be a Rectory; it seems likely that our artist was female, quite possibly the daughter or wife of a curate.

COA
+ Artwork Details

Dimensions: Height: 11.9cm (4.69") Width: 18.2cm (7.17")

Presented: Unframed.

Medium: Watercolour

Age: Mid-19th-century

Signed: No.

Inscribed: Inscribed upper right.

Dated: --

Condition: In good condition for its age. The picture may have minor imperfections such as slight marks, toning, foxing, creasing or pinholes, commensurate with age. Please see photos for detail. Minor foxing to the verso.

Stock number: JW-761