C.J. Newcome Northampton from Houghton

Views on the Hampshire Surrey Border: C.J. Newcome 1870s

This watercolour forms part of a charming 19th-century collection of pictures by Cecilia Jenny Newcome, principally depicting views around Tongham, Seale, Aldershot, Crooksbury and Hale on the Hampshire / Surrey border. The pictures evidence the substantial country houses of the day associated with the Newcome family, including Aldershot Manor, Poyle Park Estate, Hale Park House, Bury Hill Estate, Hampton Lodge Estate, and Duffield Hall, Derbyshire.

Cecilia was the niece of Captain George Newcome, who bought the 63-acre Manor House estate at Aldershot in 1846. Aldershot Manor was entailed to Cecilia's brother, Major Henry Newcome. George Newcome's wife Harriet was born at Allestree Hall, Derbyshire. His sisters married into the Mangles family, one living at Poyle House, Tongham.

Many of the watercolours are extensive views, which show the artist's talent for both capturing a sense of the whole and recording small detail, in foreground figures, flowers and tree branches—with the skilful addition of ink and white bodycolour.